hammerhead

noun

ham·​mer·​head ˈha-mər-ˌhed How to pronounce hammerhead (audio)
Synonyms of hammerheadnext
1
: the striking part of a hammer
2
: blockhead
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

Synonyms of hammerhead

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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.
In the last few months, sea creatures such as whale and hammerhead sharks, devil rays, wahoos and other fish species have been seen by beachgoers and amateur anglers from Orange County to Malibu. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Exotic sharks such as the whale shark -- a gentle giant and the largest fish on Earth -- and the more menacing-looking hammerheads venture into California waters during El Niño. — Daniel Trotta, Arkansas Online, 9 Oct. 2026 Johnnie Mercers Pier shared footage this week of an albino hammerhead shark in the waters off of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026 The Bahamas are home to about 40 shark species, including great hammerheads, oceanic whitetip, and bull sharks, according to American Surf Magazine. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026 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

Rhymes for hammerhead

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Browse Nearby Words

Hammerfest
hammerhead
hammerhead crane
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Cite this Entry

“Hammerhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hammerhead. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hammerhead

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