hammerhead

noun

ham·​mer·​head ˈha-mər-ˌhed How to pronounce hammerhead (audio)
1
: the striking part of a hammer
2
3
: any of a family (Sphyrnidae) of active voracious medium-sized sharks that have the eyes at the ends of lateral extensions of the flattened head see shark illustration

Examples of hammerhead in a Sentence

we despair of ever getting those hammerheads to buckle their seat belts without prodding
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Look out for hammerhead sharks, bottlenose dolphins, and playful sea lions in the sapphire waters. Kerry Spencer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Dec. 2024 Meanwhile, hammerhead sharks were recently spotted off the Cape — which is becoming a regular summer occurrence here as water temps jump. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 30 July 2024 National Geographic/Nathalie Miles Next up: Edgley pitted himself against the remarkable underwater agility of a hammerhead shark. Ars Technica, 30 June 2024 The series consists of Formula 1 racing cars that have morphed to mirror the streamlined bodies of hammerhead sharks, a species that must continue swimming forward to survive, Highsnobiety reports. Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hammerhead 

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hammerhead was in 1562

Dictionary Entries Near hammerhead

Cite this Entry

“Hammerhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hammerhead. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

hammerhead

noun
ham·​mer·​head ˈham-ər-ˌhed How to pronounce hammerhead (audio)
: any of various active sharks of medium size that have the eyes at the ends of sideward extensions of the flattened head

More from Merriam-Webster on hammerhead

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