hammerhead

American  

[ham-er-hed] / ˈhæm ərˌhɛd /

noun

1. the part of a hammer designed for striking.

2. a shark of the genus Sphyrna, especially S. zygaena, having the head heads expanded laterally so as to resemble a double-headed hammer, sometimes dangerous to swimmers.

3. Also called hammerkop.  a brown heronlike African bird, Scopus umbretta, having the head heads so crested as to resemble a claw hammer.

4. flatheaded borer.

5. Slang. blockhead; dunce; lout.

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hammerhead British  

/ ˈhæməˌhɛd /

noun

1. any shark of the genus Sphyrna and family Sphyrnidae, having a flattened hammer-shaped head

2. a heavily built tropical African wading bird, Scopus umbretta, related to the herons, having a dark plumage and a long backward-pointing crest: family Scopidae, order Ciconiiformes

3. a large African fruit bat, Hypsignathus monstrosus, with a large square head and hammer-shaped muzzle

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Other Word Forms

• hammerheaded adjective

Etymology

Origin of hammerhead

First recorded in 1525–35; hammer + head

Example Sentences

So instead of getting swept away by the narrative, I just settled in to enjoy the details: hammerhead sharks twisted into pickaxes, ships that scuttle like crabs, the drama of an underwater scream: “Guh-glurrgggh!”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025

This includes groups of special sharks, such as endangered hammerhead sharks and whale sharks.

From NewsForKids.net • Apr. 2, 2024

Kaneohe Bay is home to coral reefs, an ancient Hawaiian fishpond and a breeding ground for hammerhead sharks.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 27, 2023

It lacks the blunt face of a hammerhead or the gummy grin of a great white.

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2023

Its head looks like a hammerhead shark turned on its axis.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer