First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1ham
noun \ˈham\
: meat from the leg of a hog that is often prepared by smoking or salting
: a bad actor who performs in an exaggerated way
: someone who enjoys performing and who tends to behave in an exaggerated or playful way when people are watching
Full Definition of HAM
1
a : the hollow of the knee b : a buttock with its associated thigh —usually used in plural
2
: a cut of meat consisting of a thigh; especially : one from a hog
3
[short for hamfatter, from “The Ham-fat Man,” minstrel song] a : a showy performer; especially : an actor performing in an exaggerated theatrical style b : a licensed operator of an amateur radio station
4
: a cushion used especially by tailors for pressing curved areas of garments
— ham adjective
See ham defined for English-language learners
See ham defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of HAM
Middle English hamme, from Old English hamm; akin to Old High German hamma ham, Greek knēmē shinbone, Old Irish cnáim bone
2ham
verb
hammedham·ming
Definition of HAM
transitive verb
: to execute with exaggerated speech or gestures : overact <ham it up for the camera>
intransitive verb
: to overplay a part
See ham defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HAM
1933
Ham
noun \ˈham\
Definition of HAM
: a son of Noah held to be the progenitor of the Egyptians, Nubians, and Canaanites
Origin of HAM
Hebrew
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Jewish Religion Terms
HAMS Defined for Kids
ham
noun \ˈham\
Definition of HAM for Kids
1
: a cut of meat consisting of a thigh of pork
2
: an operator of an amateur radio station
3
: a showy performer <I know she likes attention, but what a ham!>
Medical Dictionary
ham
noun \ˈham\
Medical Definition of HAM
1
: the part of the leg behind the knee : the hollow of the knee : popliteal space
2
: a buttock with its associated thigh or with the posterior part of a thigh—usually used in plural
3
: a hock or the hinder part of a hock
Learn More About HAM
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up ham? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).