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

Will the many people who can’t get off the hamster wheel of attention-wrangling on social media today become attached to A.I. lovers that are ceaselessly attentive, loyal, flattering, and comforting? —Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025

Rose said another theft of high-value dogs, including a shih tzu valued at more than $2,000, took place at the store Feb. 12, when a woman with a stroller and another woman carrying a baby used a story of purchasing hamsters for a niece and nephew as a diversion. —Dennis Romero, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2025

Their Carson was Daly, not Johnny, and they were amused by babies and hamsters dancing online. —Alexandra Jacobs, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025

Onyx is the last little hamster left who has not been adopted yet. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 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