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

The show was cancelled and he returned to the BBC with Stanley Baxter's Christmas Hamper in 1985 and Stanley Baxter's Picture Annual the following year.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

Republican Sen. James Hamper, who chairs the Legislature’s appropriations committee, said it’s normal for his committee to have some bill drafts just in case.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 30, 2016

As evidence, they cite a 2011 case involving former TV anchor Anietra Hamper, who argued unsuccessfully that items like clothing, makeup, and haircuts were legitimate business expenses given her on-screen work. 

From MSNBC • Sep. 17, 2014

Bird Friendly Hamper Tasty treats for our feathered friends, plus some wool for nesting and a snug nest pocket, all presented in a FSC certified timber box.

From The Guardian • Apr. 8, 2010

And for money, do you know Miss Hamper, the dressmaker, actually offered to lend me a shilling, and I took it.

From Far Above Rubies by MacDonald, George

Related Words

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