hamburger

noun

ham·burg·er ˈham-ˌbər-gər

variants or hamburg

ˈham-ˌbərg

: ground beef

: a patty of ground beef

: a sandwich consisting of a patty of hamburger in a split typically round bun

Examples of hamburger in a Sentence

They served hot dogs and hamburgers at the cookout. Add the cooked hamburger to the sauce.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Montgomery, who previously served as Taco Bell's global chief brand officer, is charged with reigniting the struggling hamburger chain and driving a significant turnaround. — Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 In April, courts re-reviewed Gerald Kowalczyk’s arraignment for petty theft, where he was given a $75,000 bail amount for buying a hamburger with a stranger’s credit card. — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Church fairs were as likely to serve pancit and spring rolls as hamburgers and tacos. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Barbecue chicken is a cookout essential, right up there with other grilling classics like hot dogs and hamburgers. — Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hamburger

Word History

Etymology

German Hamburger of Hamburg, Germany

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of hamburger was in 1884

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hamburger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamburger. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hamburger

noun

ham·burg·er ˈham-ˌbər-gər

variants or hamburg

-ˌbərg

: ground beef

: a cooked patty of ground beef

: a sandwich consisting of a patty of hamburger in a split round bun

Etymology

German Hamburger (adjective) "of Hamburg," city in Germany

Word Origin

It may seem odd that there isn't any ham in a hamburger. The origins of the word hamburger, however, have nothing to do with a type of meat. The word really comes from the name of the German city Hamburg. Hamburger, when capitalized, means "of Hamburg." Cakes of ground beef, often served raw, were a popular food in northern Germany in the 19th century, and so they became known in English as Hamburger steaks. The name was later shortened to hamburger. Most people no longer associate the word hamburger with the city of Hamburg, since the hamburger is now usually thought of as an American food.

hamburger

noun

Examples of hamburger in a Sentence

Word History

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