hamper
HAM-puh
Hamper (noun) means a large basket with a lid, used to carry or store items such as laundry or food. Example: “She tossed her dirty clothes into the laundry hamper.”
noun
1
A large basket with a lid, used to carry or store items such as laundry or food.
"She tossed her dirty clothes into the laundry hamper."
"They packed a wicker hamper full of sandwiches for the picnic."
verb
1
To slow down or get in the way of someone's progress.
"Heavy snow hampered rescue efforts for most of the day."
"A lack of funding has hampered the research for years."
How to use hamper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA lidded basket, or (as a verb) to hold something back or make it harder to progress.
Common pairings
laundry hamper
gift hamper
hamper progress
hampered by
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Word forms
- Plural
- hampers
- Third person singular
- hampers
- Past tense
- hampered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She tossed her dirty clothes into the laundry _____.
Etymology
From an Anglo-Norman word for a case that held a large cup or goblet, ultimately from a Frankish word for a bowl or cup — the "basket" and "obstruct" senses developed separately over time.
Related words
Rhymes for hamper
See all rhymes for hamper →Frequently asked questions
What does “hamper” mean?
The word “hamper” means a large basket with a lid, used to carry or store items such as laundry or food. In plain terms, a lidded basket, or (as a verb) to hold something back or make it harder to progress.
How do you pronounce “hamper”?
“Hamper” is pronounced HAM-puh (/ˈhæm.pɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hamper” in a sentence?
Here is “hamper” used in a sentence: “She tossed her dirty clothes into the laundry hamper.”
What part of speech is “hamper”?
Depending on how it is used, “hamper” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hamper” come from?
The word “hamper” comes from Anglo-Norman. From an Anglo-Norman word for a case that held a large cup or goblet, ultimately from a Frankish word for a bowl or cup — the "basket" and "obstruct" senses developed separately over time.
Is “hamper” a common word?
“Hamper” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “hamper” have?
“Hamper” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large basket with a lid, used to carry or store items such as laundry or food.
