noun
    
    plural hams
    
    meat from the leg of a hog that is often prepared by smoking or salting [noncount]
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    [count] informal
    
    a disapproving :a bad actor who performs in an exaggerated way
    
    
    
    
    
    someone who enjoys performing and who tends to behave in an exaggerated or playful way when people are watching
    
    
    
    [count] :someone who operates an amateur radio station - often used before another noun
    
    
    
    
    
    verb
    
    hammed; hamming
    
    ham it up
    
    informal :to act or behave in an exaggerated or playful way