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

Smaller hammerhead species such as the scalloped bonnethead, scoophead, and Pacific bonnethead have been devastated by overfishing, leaving so few that researchers struggle to find or study them.

From Science Daily

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

From NewsForKids.net

In these experiments, the RNA strand being copied is a "hammerhead," a small molecule that cleaves other RNA molecules into pieces.

From Science Daily

To help manage the health of both the tarpon fishery and the hammerhead population, the researchers urge solutions that don't impact either species.

From Science Daily

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

From Seattle Times