noun
Uncommon
hammock
HA-muhk
Hammock (noun) means a hanging bed made of fabric or netting, suspended between two points and used for lying down or sleeping. Example: “He spent the whole afternoon dozing in a hammock strung between two palm trees.”
noun
1
A hanging bed made of fabric or netting, suspended between two points and used for lying down or sleeping.
"He spent the whole afternoon dozing in a hammock strung between two palm trees."
"The sailors slept in hammocks belowdecks."
verb
1
(broadcasting) To schedule a weaker program between two popular ones so it picks up viewers from both.
"The network hammocked the new sitcom between its two biggest hits."
How to use hammock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA swinging fabric bed, typically slung between two trees or posts.
Common pairings
swing in a hammock
string up a hammock
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Word forms
- Plural
- hammocks
- Third person singular
- hammocks
- Past tense
- hammocked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He spent the whole afternoon dozing in a _____ strung between two palm trees.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish hamaca, which came from a Taíno word for the swinging beds Columbus first described among Caribbean islanders.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “hammock” mean?
The word “hammock” means a hanging bed made of fabric or netting, suspended between two points and used for lying down or sleeping. In plain terms, a swinging fabric bed, typically slung between two trees or posts.
How do you pronounce “hammock”?
“Hammock” is pronounced HA-muhk (/ˈhæmək/ in IPA).
How do you use “hammock” in a sentence?
Here is “hammock” used in a sentence: “He spent the whole afternoon dozing in a hammock strung between two palm trees.”
What part of speech is “hammock”?
Depending on how it is used, “hammock” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hammock” come from?
The word “hammock” comes from Spanish. Borrowed from Spanish hamaca, which came from a Taíno word for the swinging beds Columbus first described among Caribbean islanders.
Is “hammock” a common word?
“Hammock” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hammock” have?
“Hammock” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hanging bed made of fabric or netting, suspended between two points and used for lying down or sleeping.
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