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

Other Word Forms

• hamperedly adverb
• hamperedness noun
• hamperer noun
• unhampered adjective
• unhampering 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

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association said more than 100 volunteers took part in the "long and difficult" rescue, which was hampered by worsening weather, flooding, rough terrain and long hours underground.

From BBC

Ethan's first season at Lille was hampered by injuries, which denied him the opportunity to face his brother in a Champions League match last September.

From BBC

Data collection is slow, difficult and error-prone, it added – hampering efforts to understand the extent of Fiji's HIV epidemic and the efficacy of the outbreak response.

From BBC

These and other actions will hamper the ability of workers to fight unfair labor practices and obtain redress.

From Los Angeles Times

Fracking projects under previous governments were hampered by planning delays, minor earthquakes, legal challenges and persistent protests.

From BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.