[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/hammer/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [H](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/h/) / hammer

# hammer

noun (a hammer, hammers); verb (hammer, hammers, hammered, hammering)

«hammer» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A tool with a heavy metal head on a handle, used for hitting nails into wood. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#m1)
2. (verb) To hit something with a hammer or hit it hard again and again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#m2)
3. (verb) To beat someone easily in a game (informal). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#m3)
4. A heavy metal ball on a wire thrown in sport (the hammer throw). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#m4)
5. A small part inside the ear or a piano that hits. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#m5)
6. Hammer and tongs means working or fighting with great energy and noise. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#m6)

### In the lessons

In crafts and woodwork, the hammer is a basic tool; safety: hold the nail carefully, keep fingers clear, wear goggles. In science, a hammer is a simple machine and a force. In everyday talk, rain «hammers» on the roof. Phrases: «hammer in a nail», «hammer on the door», «hammer out an agreement».

### Examples

- Dad used a hammer to put up the shelf. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#x1)
- Hold the nail steady and tap it with the hammer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#x2)
- The rain hammered on the roof. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#x3)
- Someone was hammering on the door. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#x4)
- Our team got hammered 6–0. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#x5)
- Watch your fingers when you use a hammer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#x6)
- The judge banged a small hammer called a gavel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#x7)
- “Odds, bobs, hammer and tongs, I hear you.” [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/#x8)

### Note

Countable: hammers. Past: hammered. Double «m». «Hammer» as «beat in a game» is informal.

## In Jewish tradition

Used for a tool in building and idol making, and as a picture of a mighty ruler who smashes the nations. Babylon is called "the hammer of the whole earth."

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads Jeremiah as showing that even the mightiest empire is only a tool in God's hand and will be broken in time.

### Examples

- How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken! (Prophets JER.50.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hammer/#x1)
- And now all the carved work thereof together they strike down with hatchet and hammers. (Writings PSA.74.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hammer/#x2)
- They deck it with silver and with gold, they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. (Prophets JER.10.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hammer/#x3)

### Note

Countable: hammers. Past: hammered. Double «m». «Hammer» as «beat in a game» is informal.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «hammer» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hammer/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«hammer» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/hammer.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «hammer» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hammer/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«hammer» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/hammer.html) on Mova free.