hammerhead

[ ham-er-hed ]

noun

1. the part of a hammer designed for striking.
2. a shark of the genus Sphyrna, especially S. zygaena, having the head heads expanded laterally so as to resemble a double-headed hammer, sometimes dangerous to swimmers.
3. Also called ham·mer·kop [ham, -er-kop]. a brown heronlike African bird, Scopus umbretta, having the head heads so crested as to resemble a claw hammer.
4. flatheaded borer.
5. Slang. blockhead; dunce; lout.

hammerhead

/ ˈhæməˌhɛd /

noun

1. any shark of the genus Sphyrna and family Sphyrnidae, having a flattened hammer-shaped head
2. a heavily built tropical African wading bird, Scopus umbretta, related to the herons, having a dark plumage and a long backward-pointing crest: family Scopidae, order Ciconiiformes
3. a large African fruit bat, Hypsignathus monstrosus, with a large square head and hammer-shaped muzzle

Derived Forms

• ˈhammerˌheaded, adjective

Other Words From

• hammer·headed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hammerhead¹

First recorded in 1525–35; hammer + head

Example Sentences

Discovering a potential hammerhead shark nursery was an accident.

From Science News

Great hammerhead sharks breed infrequently, about once every two years.

From Science News

It seems like an unlikely place for a nursery of endangered hammerhead sharks, but a recreational hot spot just off the coast of Miami may host a school of these precious babies.

From Science News

The team got its first inkling of something special in June 2018, when researchers caught a juvenile great hammerhead — an interesting anomaly.

From Science News

Meanwhile, catch limits have been placed on hammerhead sharks.

From Popular-Science

According to many fans and critics, the show hurdled the hammerhead a long time ago.

From The Daily Beast

A hammerhead's nest on one of the trees was fully four feet high.

From Project Gutenberg

A vicious-looking hammerhead shark was zeroing in, directly behind his friend!

From Project Gutenberg

Ang kamambad sa pamingkúngan, The fierceness of a hammerhead shark.

From Project Gutenberg

Old hammerhead repelled the insinuation, and swore that cheaper or better pots were never seen in the kitchen of a king.

From Project Gutenberg