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
a
: a showy performer
especially
: an actor performing in an exaggerated theatrical style
b
: someone who enjoys performing and who tends to behave in an exaggerated or playful way when people are watching
A bit of a ham, she's been collecting these one-liners for decades.—
Elizabeth Rubin
Elizabeth Rubin" … I was always sort of a ham. I talk a lot. I'm wild. I was always performing growing up … "—Pokey LaFarge
Pokey LaFarge
c
: a licensed operator of an amateur radio station
4
: a cushion used especially by tailors for pressing curved areas of garments
ham
adjective
hammed; hamming
: to execute with exaggerated speech or gestures : overact
ham it up for the camera
: to overplay a part
: a son of Noah held to be the progenitor of the Egyptians, Nubians, and Canaanites
Synonyms
Noun (1)
Examples of ham in a Sentence
Noun (1)
We're having ham for dinner.
He was once a fine actor, but now he's just an old ham.
Cameras bring out the ham in her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
The ham and cheese egg bake ($28) is made with croissants, ham, leeks, and Wisconsin white cheddar, and serves four to six people.
—Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 4 Nov. 2024
Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024
In honor of the Games’ host country this year, the star opted for a vintage, Parisian cabaret-style performance, hamming up her movements with every opportunity.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ham 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Although he’s never been a ham (most of the stage banter was thank yous and recognizing the musicians and crew), Gilmour’s charisma shined during the songs.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
The ham and cheese egg bake ($28) is made with croissants, ham, leeks, and Wisconsin white cheddar, and serves four to six people.
—Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Episode writer Zachary Reiter knows exactly how to ham up the calm before the storm, warming us up with sentimental moments (like a mother preparing her son for his first date) and frisky foreshadowing (of course there’s a couple getting it on in the bathroom).
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024
In honor of the Games’ host country this year, the star opted for a vintage, Parisian cabaret-style performance, hamming up her movements with every opportunity.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ham
Dictionary Entries Near ham
Cite this Entry
“Ham.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ham. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ham
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
a
: an unskillful but showy performer
b
: an operator of an amateur radio station
ham
adjective
ham
2 of 2 verb
hammed; hamming
: to act with exaggerated speech or gestures
ham it up for the camera
Medical Definition
ham
noun1
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share