sledgehammer

== English == === Etymology === Compound of sledge +‎ hammer. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈslɛd͡ʒhæmə/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈslɛd͡ʒhæmɚ/ Hyphenation: sledge‧ham‧mer === Noun === sledgehammer (plural sledgehammers) A hammer that consists of a large, heavy, broad and flat block of metal (the head) attached to a handle typically 0.5 meter to 1 meter long. The sledgehammer's design is meant to allow it to be swung powerfully, and to distribute force over a wide area upon impact. ==== Alternative forms ==== sledge-hammer ==== Coordinate terms ==== mallet maul ==== Derived terms ==== use a sledgehammer to crack a nut ==== Related terms ==== forehammer hammer ==== Translations ==== === Verb === sledgehammer (third-person singular simple present sledgehammers, present participle sledgehammering, simple past and past participle sledgehammered) (transitive) To strike (something) with a sledgehammer. === Adjective === sledgehammer (comparative more sledgehammer, superlative most sledgehammer) Completely lacking grace and dexterity. ==== See also ==== shotgun approach === Further reading === sledgehammer on Wikipedia.Wikipedia