Definition

1. Noun:

   • A hand tool with a heavy rigid head and a handle: A tool used to deliver a forceful blow, typically for driving nails, breaking objects, or shaping metal.
   • A part of a mechanism that strikes something: The part of a device (like a gun or piano) that hits another part to cause an action, such as firing a bullet or vibrating a string.
   • A heavy metal ball on a wire: A sphere attached to a wire, used in the athletic event of throwing it for distance (the hammer throw).
   • The act of pounding: The action of delivering repeated heavy blows.

2. Verb:

   • To hit or beat with or as if with a hammer: To strike something repeatedly with force.
   • To shape or create by forceful blows: To form metal or another material by pounding it.
   • To emphasize persistently: To stress a point or idea repeatedly and forcefully.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • He used a hammer to drive the nail into the wall.
  • The hammer of the gun fell with a click.
  • She won a gold medal in the hammer throw.

• Verb:

  • He had to hammer the bent metal back into shape.
  • The blacksmith will hammer the red-hot iron on the anvil.
  • The teacher tried to hammer the importance of grammar into the students' minds.

Advanced Usage

• "to hammer away at": To work persistently or attack something with repeated effort.

  • She hammered away at the problem until she found a solution.
  • The prosecutor hammered away at the witness's testimony.

• "to hammer out": To produce or negotiate something, especially an agreement, through persistent effort.

  • The two countries finally hammered out a trade deal after months of talks.

• "to hammer home": To emphasize a point very forcefully to ensure it is understood.

  • The coach hammered home the need for better defense.

Variants and Related Words

• Hammering (n): The action or sound of striking with a hammer.

  • The constant hammering from the construction site was very loud.

• Hammered (adj): Shaped or made by hammering; (informal) very drunk.

  • The bracelet was made of hammered silver.

Synonyms

• Noun: Mallet, gavel, sledgehammer.
• Verb: Pound, beat, pummel, forge.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Hammer at: To strike repeatedly; to work hard on.

  • He hammered at the door until someone answered.

• Hammer into: To force someone to learn or accept something through repetition.

  • They tried to hammer the rules into the new recruits.

Related Idioms

• "Between a rock and a hard place / Between the hammer and the anvil": In a difficult situation where one is faced with two equally unpleasant alternatives.

  • Caught between the demands of two bosses, he felt like he was between the hammer and the anvil.

• "Go at it hammer and tongs": To do something with great vigor, energy, or violence.

  • The two boxers went at it hammer and tongs from the first bell.

• "Up to the hammer": (Informal, dated) Of excellent quality; first-rate.

  • The craftsmanship on this furniture is up to the hammer.

Noun

1. the act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows)
   • the sudden hammer of fists caught him off guard
   • the pounding of feet on the hallway
2. a power tool for drilling rocks
3. a striker that is covered in felt and that causes the piano strings to vibrate
4. a heavy metal sphere attached to a flexible wire; used in the hammer throw
5. a light drumstick with a rounded head that is used to strike such percussion instruments as chimes, kettledrums, marimbas, glockenspiels, etc.
6. the ossicle attached to the eardrum
7. a hand tool with a heavy rigid head and a handle; used to deliver an impulsive force by striking
8. the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled

Verb

1. create by hammering
   • hammer the silver into a bowl
   • forge a pair of tongues
2. beat with or as if with a hammer
   • hammer the metal flat