hamper

¹

[ ham-per ]

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

[ ham-per ]

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

/ 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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈhamperedness, noun
• ˈhamperer, noun

Other Words From

• hampered·ly adverb
• hampered·ness noun
• hamper·er noun
• un·hampered adjective
• un·hamper·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hamper¹

C14: variant of hanaper

Origin of hamper²

C14: of obscure origin; perhaps related to Old English hamm enclosure, hemm hem ¹

Synonym Study

See prevent.

Example Sentences

If Gentleman's Quarterly comes by for a photo spread, Palmer won't have to put a single sock in a hamper.

From The Daily Beast

My daughter asleep, and her T-shirt in the hamper, my wife, I call her MZ, wanted a word.

From The Daily Beast

Physicians in Florida are being threatened with a law that, if enacted, will seriously hamper their ability to do their jobs.

From The Daily Beast

Another factor that might hamper the investigation is the transient nature of the homeless population.

From The Daily Beast

Because we use knives and forks every day, we do not notice how they hamper us.

From The Daily Beast

No further obstacle shall rise to hamper us once our backs are turned upon the ugly walls of Condillac.

From Project Gutenberg

It was, in fact, a regular dog's straw hamper, but it was lined with heavy quilted silk and padded with wool.

From Project Gutenberg

When the day arrived, the cat was tied safely up in a hamper, put in charge of the guard, and sent on its way.

From Project Gutenberg

Such knowledge, indeed, tends to hamper that free play of the imagination so necessary in this work.

From Project Gutenberg

When he returned he was followed by a waiter with a hamper to whose bestowal in the back of the car he looked carefully.

From Project Gutenberg