hamper

¹ American  

[ham-per] / ˈhæm pər /

verb (used with object)

1. to hold back; hinder; impede.

   A steady rain hampered the progress of the work.

   Synonyms:

   clog, trammel, encumber, obstruct

   Antonyms:

   facilitate, encourage, further

2. to interfere with; curtail.

   The dancers' movements were hampered by their elaborate costumes.

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noun

1. Nautical. gear that, although necessary to the operations of a vessel, is sometimes in the way.

hamper ² American  

[ham-per] / ˈhæm pər /

noun

1. a large basket or wickerwork receptacle, usually with a cover.

   picnic hamper;

   clothes hamper.

2. British. such a basket together with its contents, especially food.

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hamper ¹ British  

/ ˈhæmpə /

noun

1. a large basket, usually with a cover

2. such a basket and its contents, usually food

3. a laundry basket

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hamper ² British  

/ ˈhæmpə /

verb

1. (tr) to prevent the progress or free movement of

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noun

1. nautical gear aboard a vessel that, though essential, is often in the way

Usage

What does hamper mean? To hamper means to hold back or impede something or someone, as in The road crew hampered traffic, causing a line of cars that went back for miles. Figuratively, hamper can mean to interfere with or diminish, as in The singers practicing in the next room really hampered my ability to study. Related to this in nautical terms, a hamper is gear that is necessary but gets in the way. There is another sense of the noun hamper that comes from a different origin. This hamper is a large basket, often made of wicker (or something that looks like wicker) and having a cover. Most often, this type of hamper is associated with dirty clothes (a laundry or clothes hamper), but there are lots of things a hamper can hold, like a picnic lunch or small toys. Example: I hope this rain doesn’t end up hampering the party at all.

Related Words

See prevent.

Other Word Forms

• hamperedly adverb
• hamperedness noun
• hamperer noun
• unhampered adjective
• unhampering adjective

Etymology

Origin of hamper¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English hampren; akin to Old English hamm “enclosure,” hemm hem ¹

Origin of hamper²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English hampere, variant of hanypere hanaper

Explanation

Anything that hampers slows progress or makes it difficult to do something. You might think that the presence of your parents hampers your ability to look cool. The verb hamper is for those times when normal progress is slow but not shut down completely. Hamper often describes travel during bad weather, like icy conditions that could hamper holiday travel. Hamper means "slow going." You may have heard of noun form of hamper, a container for holding dirty laundry: If your hamper is full, the need to do laundry could hamper your plans of going out and having fun.

Example Sentences

If Qatar’s supply stays sidelined for another four to eight weeks, say experts, shortages could hamper the production of high-end chips.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Daley told BBC News that the closure of the pool at the Citadel leisure centre could hamper any growth of the sport in Scotland.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Initial symptoms of meningitis include headache, fever, drowsiness and a stiff neck -- but those are symptoms of different illnesses and can hamper prompt diagnosis.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

The stylistic bait-and-switch doesn’t just hamper the film’s momentum; it reveals just how silly the entire endeavor up until the climax has been.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

I kick the clothes-barf back into the hamper and then shove it into the closet.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Related Words

• block
• curb
• frustrate
• hamstring
• hinder
• hobble
• hold up
• impede
• inconvenience
• inhibit
• obstruct
• prevent
• retard
• stymie
• thwart