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.
Hibernation on demand Hibernation is a specialty of squirrels, hamsters, and bears, but the neural circuit that triggers it is conserved across mammals, and is present in species that never hibernate in the wild—like mice. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026 Shot on a real boat out at sea, with the children contracted for no more than four hours of filming a day and a dangerously small hamster on deck, some filmmakers might have been a little daunted by what Ryan and her crew were attempting to do. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026 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 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 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hamster

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