hammerhead
noun
ham·mer·head
ˈha-mər-ˌhed 
1
: the striking part of a hammer
2
3
: any of a family (Sphyrnidae) of active voracious medium-sized sharks that have the eyes at the ends of lateral extensions of the flattened head see shark illustration
Examples of hammerhead in a Sentence
we despair of ever getting those hammerheads to buckle their seat belts without prodding
Recent Examples on the Web
These include Caribbean reef sharks, oceanic white tips, great hammerheads, tiger sharks and bull sharks.
—
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Exotic species such as whale sharks, hammerhead sharks and bluefin tuna were seen by boaters and anglers who marveled at the sea creatures more common in tropical waters.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
During the show, she can be heard noting that a hammerhead shark appears to be pursuing a bale of fake cocaine.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Keep an eye out for sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, and manta rays.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammerhead
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Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Exotic species such as whale sharks, hammerhead sharks and bluefin tuna were seen by boaters and anglers who marveled at the sea creatures more common in tropical waters.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
During the show, she can be heard noting that a hammerhead shark appears to be pursuing a bale of fake cocaine.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Keep an eye out for sea turtles, hammerhead sharks, and manta rays.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hammerhead
Cite this Entry
“Hammerhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hammerhead. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hammerhead
noun
ham·mer·head
ˈham-ər-ˌhed
: any of various active sharks of medium size that have the eyes at the ends of sideward extensions of the flattened head
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