# sledgehammer

/ˈsɫɛdʒˌhæmɝ/ (US) · /slˈɛdʒhæmɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sledgehammer
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a heavy hammer with a flat head used for breaking things like stone or ice. It is much heavier than a regular hammer.

For teachers: a heavy hammer with a broad, flat head, typically used for breaking stone, ice, or other hard materials.

## Examples

- He used a sledgehammer to break the frozen lock.
- The construction workers used a sledgehammer to remove the old concrete foundation before starting the new project.
- While a regular hammer might chip the surface, a sledgehammer is necessary to drive the heavy post deep enough into the frozen ground.

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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.