hammer

word

/ˈhæmɝ/
HA-mur
/hˈæmɐ/
HA-muh

Definition

A hammer is a tool with a heavy head on a handle, used especially for hitting nails into wood or breaking things. As a verb, it means to hit something hard many times with a hammer or with a similar force.

Usage & Nuances

Usually refers first to the physical tool. Common collocations: 'hammer a nail in', 'hammer something flat', 'under the hammer'. As a verb, it can also be figurative: 'The media hammered him' means they criticized him strongly and repeatedly.

Example Sentences

I need a hammer to hang this picture.

basic

He hit the nail with a hammer.

basic

Don't hammer the box open.

basic

The neighbors were hammering all morning, so I couldn't sleep.

natural

The interviewer really hammered him on that mistake.

natural

We need to hammer out the details before Friday.

natural