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.

---

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.

---

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

---

hamper ² British  

/ ˈhæmpə /

verb

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

---

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

Example Sentences

The shortage is straining a market where supplies can’t be switched on quickly, threatening to hamper production of everything from semiconductors to military-drone components and space rockets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 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

Senior officials in Italian cricket fear potential reputational damage, and the possibility of legal cases, will hamper opportunities to capitalise on their debut T20 World Cup appearance and grow the game further in the country.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

The vagaries of the schedule are something that figures to hamper MLS teams all season.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

It’s as big as Mama’s big white laundry hamper back home and seems like she’s always got about ten hundred things piled up in there.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

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