hamper

UK: /ˈhæmpə^r/ US: /ˈhæmpɚ/ ,(ham′pər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ham•per¹ /ˈhæmpɚ/   v. [~ + object]

1. to get in the way of;
   interfere with:
   Heavy rain hampered the flow of traffic.

ham•per² /ˈhæmpɚ/   n. [countable]

1. a large basket or wicker container, usually with a cover:
   a picnic hamper filled with sandwiches.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ham•per¹  (ham′pər), v.t. 

1. to hold back;
   hinder;
   impede:
   A steady rain hampered the progress of the work.
2. to interfere with;
   curtail:
   The dancers' movements were hampered by their elaborate costumes.

n. 

3. [Naut.] gear that, although necessary to the operations of a vessel, is sometimes in the way.

• 1300–50; Middle English hampren; akin to Old English hamm enclosure, hemm hem¹

ham′pered•ly, adv. 
ham′pered•ness, n. 
ham′per•er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. obstruct, encumber, trammel, clog. See prevent. 

Antonyms

• 1. further, encourage, facilitate.

ham•per²  (ham′pər), n. 

1. a large basket or wickerwork receptacle, usually with a cover:
   picnic hamper; clothes hamper.
2. British Terms such a basket together with its contents, esp. food.

• Middle English hampere, variant of hanypere hanaper 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hamper / ˈhæmpə/ verb

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

noun

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

Etymology: 14th Century: of obscure origin; perhaps related to Old English hamm enclosure, hemm hem¹

hamper / ˈhæmpə/ noun

1. a large basket, usually with a cover
2. such a basket and its contents, usually food

Etymology: 14th Century: variant of hanaper