hamster

Pluralhamsters

Formshamsters, hamstering, hamstered

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A small furry rodent with short legs and a stubby tail, often kept as a pet.

   Like a tiny pet with puffy cheeks for holding food.

   My sister keeps a hamster in a cage with an exercise wheel.

   The hamster stuffed sunflower seeds into its cheeks.

2. 2
   nouncountable

   A small furry rodent from Europe and Asia, with cheek pouches for carrying food.

   Like a little field mouse that fills its cheeks with seeds.

   A wild hamster digs deep burrows to store grain for winter.

   Some hamsters live in the dry grasslands of central Asia.

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   A different kind of rodent that looks much like a hamster but is not one.

   Like a dolphin that looks like a fish but really isn't one.

   The maned hamster smears toxic plant sap onto its fur to keep predators away.

   Mouse-like hamsters nest among rocks across the dry highlands of Asia.

   Note
4. 4
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To hide away and store something secretly, the way the animal keeps food in its cheeks.

   Like a squirrel hiding nuts to eat later.

   He likes to hamster snacks in his desk drawer for later.

   She hamstered batteries and candles before the storm hit.

   Similarstash

   Note

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