hamper

¹

[ham-per]

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.

noun

1. Nautical.,  gear that, although necessary to the operations of a vessel, is sometimes in the way.

hamper

²

[ham-per]

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.

hamper

¹

/ ˈhæmpə /

noun

1. a large basket, usually with a cover

2. such a basket and its contents, usually food

3. a laundry basket

hamper

²

/ ˈhæmpə /

verb

1. (tr) to prevent the progress or free movement of

noun

1. nautical gear aboard a vessel that, though essential, is often in the way

Other Word Forms

• hamperedly adverb
• hamperedness noun
• hamperer noun
• unhampered adjective
• unhampering adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hamper¹

C14: variant of _hanaper

Origin of hamper²

C14: of obscure origin; perhaps related to Old English hamm enclosure, hemm _hem ¹

Synonym Study

See prevent.

Example Sentences

In the case of Air India Flight 171, the switch was moved from "run" to the "cut-off" position, hampering the thrust of the plane, according to the AAIB's preliminary investigation report.

From BBC

The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs was decimated from 50 employees to just three, severely hampering congressional assistance to constituents.

From Los Angeles Times

Selles has been hampered by players who starred under Wilder, like Sydie Peck, Harrison Burrows and Michael Cooper, all losing their form this campaign.

From BBC

He said he recognised the concern from Mr Davies' family that the "crucial answer" of how it occurred was hampered by a "lack of preserved material".

From BBC

Smith’s absence hardly hampered the Dodgers in their fourth straight win.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.