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

Why do hamburgers make poor witnesses? —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 2 May 2026

One analyst who tracks hay prices nationwide says the impact could be significant—potentially leading to sharply higher restaurant prices, including the possibility of a $30 hamburger. —Brian Unger, CBS News, 1 May 2026

Karres founded the iconic South End restaurant that grew from an ice cream stand named Zesto’s in 1967 into a local institution known for its hamburgers and soft-serve dip-top cones and shakes. —Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026

All hamburger samples will be served as half-portions (3 ounces), and event proceeds will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. —Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 28 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.