hamster

noun

ham·​ster ˈham(p)-stər How to pronounce hamster (audio)
: any of a subfamily (Cricetinae) of small Old World rodents having very large cheek pouches

Examples of hamster in a Sentence

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.
These sad conventions; these American ways of being, pacing to the end of a block and back like hamsters. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 What if true fulfillment isn't about running faster on the hamster wheel? — Simone Lundquist, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 In a control group, hamsters were infected with wild-type worms. — Jay Kakade august 05, Refractor, 5 Aug. 2026 The federal government has been running on a hamster wheel of debt by refinancing trillions of dollars every month with trillions more in fresh borrowing that comes due in a few months. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hamster

Word History

Etymology

German, from Old High German hamustro, of Slavic origin; akin to Old Russian choměstorŭ hamster, of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan hamaēstar- oppressor

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hamster was in 1607

Phrases Containing hamster

Browse Nearby Words

hamsocn
hamster
hamstery
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hamster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamster. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hamster

noun
ham·​ster ˈham(p)-stər How to pronounce hamster (audio)
: any of various small Old World rodents with a short tail and large cheek pouches

Medical Definition

hamster

noun
ham·​ster ˈham(p)-stər How to pronounce hamster (audio)
: any of numerous Old World rodents (Cricetus or a related genus) having very large cheek pouches and including several used as laboratory animals

More from Merriam-Webster on hamster

Nglish: Translation of hamster for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hamster

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