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

This nylon hammock folds down into a small storage pouch, is incredibly lightweight while still able to hold up to 400 pounds of weight, and uses two Talon straps and carabiners to secure it between two trees. —Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2024

Felipe Castellari The lodge’s Edenic (and fenced-in) grounds were built around relaxation, with hammocks and loungers, private patios, a central fireplace room, and a bay-view swimming pool. —Stephanie Vermillion, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2024

There’s also thoughtfully designed furniture that’s made for the pet’s comfort but still looks stylish (like a woven wall hammock). —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024

Maybe that’s a suncatcher out of leaves or a banana hammock (sorry) from a bunch of sticks. —Julia Ries, SELF, 14 Oct. 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