hamburger

noun

ham·​burg·​er ˈham-ˌbər-gər 

variants or hamburg

ˈham-ˌbərg 

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

Everyone knows hot dogs, hamburgers, and barbecue all taste better in the summer. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026

Its use has become incredibly popular, particularly for purchasing clothing and home appliances, though it is also used to pay for everything from a hamburger to grocery runs. —Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026

Specializing in hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries, Five Guys is one of the pricier fast-food options. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026

Live cattle futures notched all-time highs this week — a bad omen for shoppers looking forward to grilling hot dogs or hamburgers this summer. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

German Hamburger of Hamburg, Germany

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

hamburger

noun

ham·​burg·​er ˈham-ˌbər-gər 

variants or hamburg

-ˌbərg 

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.