hammock

1 of 2

noun (1)

ham·​mock ˈha-mək 

: a swinging couch or bed usually made of netting or canvas and slung by cords from supports at each end

Illustration of hammock

• ¹hammock

hammock

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: hummock

2

: a fertile area in the southern U.S. and especially Florida that is usually higher than its surroundings and that is characterized by hardwood vegetation and deep humus-rich soil

Examples of hammock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The ocean breeze sweeps in across my room's wraparound terrace, complete with a hammock and private plunge pool (a Hotel Mousai signature). —Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2024

Beyond the toasty springs, there is Kundalini yoga, sound healing, oracle card reading, along with time to chill in the hammocks, fire pits, private hot tubs, tennis courts, a pond, walking trail and much more. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2024

The poetic title, Afternoons of Solitude (Tardes de Soledad), might evoke tranquility and relaxation, maybe a few lazy hours in a hammock with a book. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Sep. 2024

Watch from bed as the rising sun paints the Chisos peaks hues of pink and peach, or relax on the spacious deck or hammock as the desert transitions from golden hour to star-speckled night—a signature of the region’s enormous Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve. —Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Spanish hamaca, from Taino

Noun (2)

earlier hammok, hommoke, humock; akin to Middle Low German hummel small height, hump bump — more at hump

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1626, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hammock

noun

ham·​mock

ˈham-ək

: a swinging couch or bed usually made of netting or canvas and slung by cords from supports at each end