A hamster is a small burrowingliving in or digging holes underground rodenta small mammal with sharp front teeth that gnaws known for its short tail and cheek pouches for carrying food. In everyday English, it most often refers to the small pet kept in a cage or enclosurean area surrounded by walls, wire, or fencing.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈhæmstɚ/
Easy pronunciation: HAM-stir (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Hamster Meaning
a small rodent that stores food in its cheek pouches
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a small short-tailed burrowing rodent with large cheek pouches
Example: We bought a hamster for the kids, and it spends most of the day sleeping in its cage.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse hamster with other small rodents like mice or rats; it is a distinct animal.
- Hamster can also refer to a pet, but that is the same animal, not a separate meaning.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hamster mean?
A hamster is a small burrowing rodent with cheek pouches that it uses to carry food.
What is a simple definition of hamster?
It is a small rodent often kept as a pet.
What are some synonyms for hamster?
There are no true synonyms for hamster in standard English.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
