noun
Uncommon
hamster
HAMS-tuh
Hamster (noun) means a small, short-tailed rodent with cheek pouches, often kept as a pet. Example: “My daughter keeps a hamster in a cage in her bedroom.”
noun
1
A small, short-tailed rodent with cheek pouches, often kept as a pet.
"My daughter keeps a hamster in a cage in her bedroom."
"The hamster stuffed both cheeks with sunflower seeds."
verb
1
(informal) To stash away or hoard something quietly, the way a hamster stores food in its cheeks.
"He'd been hamstering snacks in his desk drawer for weeks."
How to use hamster
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small pet rodent that stores food in its cheek pouches.
Common pairings
pet hamster
hamster wheel
hamster cage
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Word forms
- Plural
- hamsters
- Third person singular
- hamsters
- Past tense
- hamstered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My daughter keeps a _____ in a cage in her bedroom.
Etymology
Borrowed from German Hamster, the name of the rodent.
Frequently asked questions
What does “hamster” mean?
The word “hamster” means a small, short-tailed rodent with cheek pouches, often kept as a pet. In plain terms, a small pet rodent that stores food in its cheek pouches.
How do you pronounce “hamster”?
“Hamster” is pronounced HAMS-tuh (/ˈhæm(p)stɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hamster” in a sentence?
Here is “hamster” used in a sentence: “My daughter keeps a hamster in a cage in her bedroom.”
What part of speech is “hamster”?
Depending on how it is used, “hamster” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hamster” come from?
The word “hamster” comes from German. Borrowed from German Hamster, the name of the rodent.
Is “hamster” a common word?
“Hamster” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hamster” have?
“Hamster” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, short-tailed rodent with cheek pouches, often kept as a pet.
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