claw hammer

American  

noun

1. a hammer having a head with one end curved and cleft for pulling out nails.

2. Informal. a dress coat.

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claw hammer British  

noun

1. Also called: carpenter's hammer.  a hammer with a cleft at one end of the head for extracting nails

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Other Word Forms

• clawhammer adjective

Etymology

Origin of claw hammer

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

Keep a box with these essential basics: a tape measure, claw hammer, utility knife, level, crescent wrenches, hex keys, a handsaw, pliers, multiple screwdrivers and a collection of screws and nails.

From Seattle Times

His second - to Jane Mitchum - was bigamous and ended with her throwing claw hammers through his windscreen.

From BBC

During a search of his vehicle, troopers found a claw hammer behind the passenger seat.

From New York Times

He had beaten her with a claw hammer and strangled her with a dressing gown cord after she went to his flat to help him with a passport application.

From BBC

That same year, Purkey also was convicted in a state court in Kansas after using a claw hammer to kill an 80-year-old woman who had polio.

From Fox News