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power hammer

power hammer

6.5
A machine that uses air or electricity to hit metal and rock repeatedly
  • noun
  • /ˈpaʊər ˈhæmər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : martillo neumático
  • The blacksmith used a power hammer to shape the heated metal into a horseshoe.

Examples

  • Engineers employed a power hammer to drill into the bedrock during the tunnel construction.

  • With the help of a power hammer, the task of breaking through concrete was significantly faster.

  • The power hammer is essential for metalworking.

  • Many power hammers are used in construction.

  • The blacksmith used a power hammer to shape the heated metal into a horseshoe.

  • Engineers employed a power hammer to drill into the bedrock during the tunnel construction.

  • With the help of a power hammer, the task of breaking through concrete was significantly faster.

Synonyms

jackhammer
vspower hammer
  • US
24 4.9

A heavy tool that breaks concrete and other hard surfaces

uses air or electricity and focuses on drilling or shaping metal or rock
air hammer
vspower hammer
  • Specialized
1 5.0

A tool that runs on air to give strong, fast blows to metal

uses air or electricity and focuses on drilling or shaping metal or rock
triphammer
vspower hammer
  • Archaic
1 9.8

A very large heavy hammer that a machine lifts and drops to shape hot metal

uses air or electricity and focuses on drilling or shaping metal or rock
pneumatic hammer
vspower hammer
  • Specialized
5.1

A heavy tool that uses air to break concrete or rock

uses air or electricity and focuses on drilling or shaping metal or rock
drop hammer
vspower hammer
  • Specialized
8.2

A large machine that shapes metal by dropping a heavy weight onto it

uses air or electricity and focuses on drilling or shaping metal or rock
electric hammer
vspower hammer
4.4

A tool with an electric motor that drives nails or breaks hard things

uses air or electricity and focuses on drilling or shaping metal or rock

How Powerful

steam shovel
  • Archaic
2 5.7
drop hammer
  • Specialized
8.2
power hammer
  • Specialized
6.5
sledgehammer
35 3.9
ball-peen hammer
  • Specialized
3 6.3

Surface Forms

power hammer singular
power hammers plural

Morphology

power + hammer

The meaning 'a hammer powered by electricity or compressed air that delivers repeated blows' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'power' (energy/electrical supply) with 'hammer' (a tool that delivers blows). This attributive compound follows common English patterns (e.g., power drill, power saw) and would be readily inferred by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Power hammer comes from the idea of strong power pushing a large hammer. Imagine a big hammer moved by electricity or air that hits metal or rock again and again, so power hammer means 'a machine that gives repeated blows' to shape or break materials.