Hammer
'hæmər
Definitions
2 meaningsA tool with a heavy head, typically of metal, fixed to a handle, used for hitting things.
'hæmər
A hand tool with a heavy head and handle.
He picked up the hammer and started to nail the picture frame.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a fort! A hammer is the tool you use to hit nails into the wood to make it strong. Just like superheroes need their special tools!
👶 For kids: A hammer is a tool that you use to hit things, like nails, into something else.
More Examples
The mechanic used a rubber hammer to gently tap the parts together.
She needed a hammer to fix the broken fence.
How It's Used
"The carpenter used a hammer to drive the nail into the wood."
"The blacksmith used a hammer to shape the hot metal."
To strike with a hammer; to repeatedly hit something.
'hæmər
To strike with a hammer.
He hammered the metal into shape.
💡 Simply: When you 'hammer' something, you're hitting it again and again with a hammer, like when you're putting up a birdhouse! You pound the nail into the wood.
👶 For kids: To hammer something means to hit it with a hammer, like when you are trying to fix something or build something!
More Examples
The workers were hammering the stakes into the ground.
The politician hammered home the importance of the new law.
How It's Used
"He hammered the nail into the wood."
"The opposition party hammered the government's policy in the debate."
Idioms & expressions
hammer and tongs
With a lot of energy and enthusiasm; vigorously.
"They argued hammer and tongs until late into the night."
hammer something out
To work on something, such as a plan or agreement, and eventually find a solution.
"They need to hammer out the details before they can sign the contract."
under the hammer
Being auctioned off or offered for sale.
"The painting will be going under the hammer next week."
From Old English *hamor*, from Proto-Germanic *hamaraz* (meaning 'hammer'). Related to Dutch *hamer* and German *Hammer*.
Historically, the word 'hammer' has been used to describe both the tool and the act of using it. It appears frequently in accounts of construction, metalworking, and even warfare.
Memory tip
Think of Thor's hammer – a powerful tool for striking!