hamburger
noun
ham·burg·er
ˈham-ˌbər-gər 
variants
or hamburg
1
a
: ground beef
b
: a patty of ground beef
2
: a sandwich consisting of a patty of hamburger in a split typically round bun
Examples of hamburger in a Sentence
They served hot dogs and hamburgers at the cookout.
Add the cooked hamburger to the sauce.
Recent Examples on the Web
Other decorations included a popcorn bucket, a hamburger, a hot dog cart, a cuckoo clock and a rocking horse.
—
Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
In addition to its American-style cuisine and signature Poorboy sandwich, the eatery has become known for its 30-foot-tall fiberglass, hamburger-holding mascot, Sam, named after a police officer who used to patrol the parking lot.
—Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Opened in 1969, Wendy's started as a humble hamburger joint in downtown Columbus, Ohio.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Jotty’s Montana Chowder (a kind hearty hamburger soup) and cream cheese frosted pumpkin bars.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hamburger
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
In addition to its American-style cuisine and signature Poorboy sandwich, the eatery has become known for its 30-foot-tall fiberglass, hamburger-holding mascot, Sam, named after a police officer who used to patrol the parking lot.
—Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025
Opened in 1969, Wendy's started as a humble hamburger joint in downtown Columbus, Ohio.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Jotty’s Montana Chowder (a kind hearty hamburger soup) and cream cheese frosted pumpkin bars.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hamburger
Cite this Entry
“Hamburger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamburger. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hamburger
noun
ham·burg·er
ˈham-ˌbər-gər
variants
or hamburg
1
a
: ground beef
b
: a cooked patty of ground beef
2
: a sandwich consisting of a patty of hamburger in a split round bun
Etymology
German Hamburger (adjective) "of Hamburg," city in Germany
Word Origin
It may seem odd that there isn't any ham in a hamburger. The origins of the word hamburger, however, have nothing to do with a type of meat. The word really comes from the name of the German city Hamburg. Hamburger, when capitalized, means "of Hamburg." Cakes of ground beef, often served raw, were a popular food in northern Germany in the 19th century, and so they became known in English as Hamburger steaks. The name was later shortened to hamburger. Most people no longer associate the word hamburger with the city of Hamburg, since the hamburger is now usually thought of as an American food.
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