haymaker

American  

[hey-mey-ker] / ˈheɪˌmeɪ kər /

noun

1. a person or machine that cuts hay and spreads it to dry.

2. Slang. a punch delivered with great force, especially one that results in a knockout.

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haymaker British  

/ ˈheɪˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. a person who helps to cut, turn, toss, spread, or carry hay

2. Also called: hay conditioner.  either of two machines, one designed to crush stems of hay, the other to break and bend them, in order to cause more rapid and even drying

3. slang boxing a wild swinging punch

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Other Word Forms

• haymaking adjective

Etymology

Origin of haymaker

1400–50; 1910–15 haymaker for def. 2; late Middle English heymakere. See hay, maker

Example Sentences

If everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face, England have taken a haymaker and kept their plans intact.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

Nate Landman clinched the Rams’ win with a fumble-causing punch deep in Rams territory, but it was Stafford who threw the haymaker with an opening second-half drive that changed the climate.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025

But then comes the real haymaker: Not only is Apple unfairly messing with apps like WhatsApp, but with anyone who sends texts from non-iPhones, period.

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2024

Even Mumford doesn’t know enough superlatives to describe the vocal haymaker Lennox threw during Carlile’s encore.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 10, 2023

I thought it was a decent punch, nothing special, just something to give me more room to operate, but the metal monster shrieked in pain and staggered back like I’d landed a haymaker.

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia