# hammerhead

/hˈæməhˌɛd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hammerhead
Updated: 2026-10-17

## Definition

a type of shark with a wide, flat head that looks like a tool. It has eyes at each end of its head, which helps it see better while hunting.

For teachers: a shark of the family Sphyrnidae, distinguished by a laterally flattened and extended head structure. The positioning of the eyes at the ends of these extensions provides the animal with enhanced binocular vision and depth perception.

## Examples

- The hammerhead swam gracefully through the clear blue water.
- Divers often travel to the Galapagos Islands specifically to witness schools of hammerhead sharks migrating through the deep channels.
- Marine biologists have theorised that the unique cephalofoil of the hammerhead serves not only as a sensory organ for detecting electrical fields but also as a hydrofoil for improved manoeuvrability.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used as a compound noun ('hammerhead shark') or as a standalone noun in marine contexts.

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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.