# Sykes

/ˈsaɪks/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

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

## Definition

a heavy hammer used for breaking stone or metal. It is a specialized tool often used in construction or mining.

For teachers: a heavy hammer, typically a sledgehammer, used for breaking stone or driving wedges. Often used in industrial or historical mining contexts.

## Examples

- The worker used a sykes to break the large rock.
- The excavation team required a sykes to clear the heavy debris blocking the entrance to the old mine shaft.
- In the nineteenth century, the rhythmic strike of the sykes against the quarry face was a constant sound in the industrial landscape of the region.

## Usage notes

- A specialized or regional term; in modern general English, 'sledgehammer' is more common.

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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.