# Hampshire

/ˈhæmpʃaɪɝ/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. English county

noun · CEFR B1

a large county on the south coast of England, known for its ports and countryside.

For teachers: a ceremonial county in South East England, bordered by Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey, and West Sussex.

- We spent our summer holiday exploring the historic towns of Hampshire.
- The port of Southampton serves as a major economic hub for the county of Hampshire, facilitating international trade and cruise tourism.

### 2. US state

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a short way of saying New Hampshire, a state in the northeastern United States.

For teachers: an elliptical reference to New Hampshire, a state in the New England region of the United States.

- He grew up in a small town in rural Hampshire before moving to Boston.
- Voters in Hampshire are known for their independent streak during the primary election cycle.

### 3. breed of pig

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of farm pig that is black with a white band around its middle.

For teachers: a domestic breed of pig characterized by erect ears, a black body, and a white belt covering the forelegs and shoulders.

- The farmer raised Hampshire pigs because they are known for having lean meat.
- The Hampshire breed remains a staple of American swine production due to its reputation for high-quality carcass traits and foraging ability.

## Examples

- We spent our summer holiday hiking through the Hampshire countryside.
- Many commuters choose to live in Hampshire because it offers a balance of rural scenery and fast rail links to London.
- The literary history of Hampshire is notably rich, as the county provided the backdrop for much of Jane Austen's life and served as the primary inspiration for her depictions of rural society.

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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.