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
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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 1 Dec. 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
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