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

Example Sentences

Daley told BBC News that the closure of the pool at the Citadel leisure centre could hamper any growth of the sport in Scotland.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

The stylistic bait-and-switch doesn’t just hamper the film’s momentum; it reveals just how silly the entire endeavor up until the climax has been.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

Investors have become increasingly nervous about the risk of much higher inflation due to rising energy prices, which will likely in turn hamper economies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

"This could potentially hamper US warfighters at a critical point in time."

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

I'd look at the laundry hamper or beer cooler, thinking that if it came down to it, Mister Mancini could hide just about anywhere.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Related Words

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