hamster

noun

ham·​ster ˈham(p)-stər 

: 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

Hurwitz packed up a few more possessions, including clothes, a laptop, and the family’s pets: a rescue dog, Lily, and a hamster, Wolfy. —Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 8 Jan. 2025

Working from home is exponentially better with my little office hamster wheel. —Kristin Canning, WIRED, 4 Feb. 2025

Lately, trying to keep up with the culture has felt like being a hamster on a wheel that never stops. —Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 19 Dec. 2024

Over the years, the family has welcomed multiple dogs, as well as a menagerie of other animals including birds, a hamster and even a bearded dragon. —Erin Clack, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025

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

Phrases Containing hamster

• golden hamster
• Syrian hamster

Kids Definition

hamster

noun

ham·​ster ˈham(p)-stər 

: any of various small Old World rodents with a short tail and large cheek pouches

Medical Definition

hamster

noun

ham·​ster ˈham(p)-stər 

: any of numerous Old World rodents (Cricetus or a related genus) having very large cheek pouches and including several used as laboratory animals