noun
plural -mers
[count] a tool that has a heavy metal head attached to a handle and that is used for hitting nails or breaking things apart - see picture at carpentry; see also sledgehammer
a similar tool made usually of wood and used especially for hitting a surface to make a loud noise
[count] :the part of a gun that strikes a charge causing the gun to shoot
[count] :a piece inside a piano that strikes a string to produce a sound
[count] :a stick that is shaped like a hammer and that is used to play a musical instrument
[count] :a heavy metal ball with a flexible handle that people throw as a sport
b the hammer :an event in which people compete by throwing a hammer
hammer and tongs
in a very forceful and energetic way
under the hammer
used to describe something that is being sold at an auction
verb
-mers; -mered; -mering
to force (something) into a particular place or shape by hitting it with a hammer [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to attach (something) with a hammer and nails
informal
[+ obj] :to hit (something or someone) in a very forceful way
to hit (something) hard and repeatedly [+ obj]
[no obj] :to beat very quickly and forcefully
[+ obj] informal :to defeat (an opponent) very easily
[+ obj] informal :to harm or criticize (someone or something) severely - often used as (be) hammered
[no obj] :to keep talking about something or trying to do something - usually + at
hammer into
[phrasal verb]
hammer (something) into (someone) :to force (something) to be learned very well by (someone) by repeating it again and again
hammer out
[phrasal verb]
hammer out (something) or hammer (something) out :to produce (something, such as an agreement) by a lot of discussion or argument