hamlet

1 of 2

noun (1)

ham·​let ˈham-lət How to pronounce hamlet (audio)
: a small village

Hamlet

2 of 2

noun (2)

Ham·​let ˈham-lət How to pronounce Hamlet (audio)
: a legendary Danish prince and hero of Shakespeare's play Hamlet

Examples of hamlet in a Sentence

Noun (1) she always longed to return to the quiet hamlet where she had been born
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Up and down the coast and further inland, Maine’s historic hamlets are defined by buildings of a signature look: typically white clapboard or shingle cottages. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 June 2024 The area first settled by Celtic people is known for its classic English hamlets and its central national park that’s home to Cave Dale, a limestone valley. Christopher A. Daniel, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2024 Before their arrival the rural hamlet — a former tobacco plantation that dates back to the 16th century and a cattle breeding farm from the early 1900s — was in disarray, including the two-level building that once housed the homes of the farm’s workers and their families. Luisa Zargani, WWD, 15 June 2024 Garrison, a Putnam County hamlet known for its river views, is one such charmer. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for hamlet 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hamlet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French hamelet, diminutive of ham village, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English hām village, home

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hamlet was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hamlet

Cite this Entry

“Hamlet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamlet. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

hamlet

noun
ham·​let ˈham-lət How to pronounce hamlet (audio)
: a small village

More from Merriam-Webster on hamlet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!