hamate

noun

ha·​mate ˈhā-ˌmāt How to pronounce hamate (audio)
: a bone on the inner side of the second row of the carpus in mammals

Examples of hamate in a Sentence

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Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers, recovering from a hamate fracture, is an obvious target who fits the latter description. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026 Pasquantio’s right thumb has two scars, the latest the result of a right-hamate fracture that had sidelined him since June 14. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026 The Minnesota Twins’ Ryan Jeffers, out with a hamate bone fracture, is clearly the best catcher available, and there isn’t a close second. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 6 July 2026 The Guardians are 4-7 since seven-time All-Star third baseman José Ramírez (left hamate bone fracture), Chase DeLauter (rib fracture) and Angel Martínez (left foot fracture) all were injured on June 13 against Detroit. — ABC News, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hamate

Word History

Etymology

Latin hamatus hooked, from hamus hook

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hamate was in 1924

Rhymes for hamate

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Hamate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamate. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

hamate

1 of 2 adjective
ha·​mate
ˈhā-ˌmāt also ˈham-ət
: shaped like a hook

hamate

2 of 2 noun
variants or hamate bone
: a bone on the little-finger side of the second row of the carpus in mammals

called also unciform, unciform bone

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