hammer

/'hæmə/
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hammer

A carpenter uses a hammer to drive a nail into a wooden board.

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.
hammer

A carpenter uses a hammer to drive a nail into a wooden board.

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