# hamburger

/ˈhæmbɝɡɝ/ (US) · /hˈæmbɜːɡɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hamburger
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the sandwich

noun · CEFR A1

a round piece of cooked meat, usually beef, served inside a sliced bread bun.

For teachers: a sandwich consisting of a cooked patty of ground meat or a meat substitute, typically served within a sliced round bun with various condiments.

- I ordered a hamburger with cheese and extra pickles for lunch.
- The restaurant gained fame for its signature hamburger, which featured locally sourced wagyu beef and a house-made brioche bun.

### 2. ground meat

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

meat, usually beef, that has been cut into very small pieces using a machine.

For teachers: ground beef used as an ingredient, regardless of whether it is formed into a patty.

- We bought two pounds of hamburger to make a large pot of chili.
- The recipe calls for browning the hamburger in a skillet before adding the diced onions and spices.

### 3. website menu icon

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a button on a website or app with three horizontal lines that opens a menu.

For teachers: a graphical user interface icon consisting of three parallel horizontal lines, used to toggle a hidden navigation menu.

- If you can't see the links, click the hamburger in the top corner.
- Modern web designers often debate whether the hamburger icon provides a clean aesthetic or confuses users who are less tech-savvy.

### 4. person from Hamburg

noun · CEFR B2

someone who comes from the city of Hamburg in Germany.

For teachers: a native or inhabitant of the German city of Hamburg.

- My new colleague is a Hamburger who moved here last year.
- The local dialect spoken by a Hamburger often includes distinct phonetic features not found in southern German regions.

### 5. to injure badly

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · American English

to hurt someone's body very badly, often in an accident.

For teachers: to severely injure or macerate flesh, typically as a result of physical trauma or impact.

- The cyclist's leg was hamburgered after the collision with the truck.
- The medic noted that the victim's arm had been completely hamburgered by the industrial machinery, making reconstructive surgery nearly impossible.

## Examples

- I would like a hamburger with extra cheese for lunch.
- The restaurant is famous for its classic hamburger, which they serve with a side of crispy fries and a milkshake.
- While the traditional hamburger remains a staple of fast-food culture, many modern establishments now offer gourmet versions featuring high-quality wagyu beef and artisanal cheeses.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.