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

This cute toy will have your hamster or guinea pig living in luxury! —Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024

Why did a Japanese company send a hamster to space? —The Week Junior, theweek, 3 Oct. 2024

Customers reported their hamsters were escaping, so GuineaLoft adapted its design. —Megan Sauer,valentina Duarte, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2024

Their Hickory Hill estate in McLean, Va. was a rotating roster of secretaries of state, film stars and celebrities along with snakes, ponies, horses, hamsters, homing pigeons, ducks, geese, cockatoos and a huge turtle. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 10 Oct. 2024

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