French word

marteau

Pronunciation

IPA/maʁto/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhammer

Example

Donne-moi le marteau, s'il te plaît.

Give me the hammer, please.

Illustration for marteau (hammer)

More examples

Il a frappé le clou avec un marteau.

He hit the nail with a hammer.

Core concept

A handled striking tool whose solid head transfers a blow to drive, break, or shape something.

Common phrases

  • frapper avec un marteau

    hit with a hammer

  • se servir d'un marteau

    use a hammer

  • acheter un marteau

    buy a hammer

Similar words

outil: A tool used to make, fix, or work on something.
tournevis: A narrow handheld tool for turning screws in or out.
clou: A thin metal fastener hammered into wood or walls to secure objects.
clé: A hand tool designed to turn bolts or nuts with a ring or jaw.

Definition in French

Outil à main constitué d'un manche et d'une tête, utilisé pour frapper et enfoncer des clous ou casser des objets.

Word origin

The French form marteau comes through Old French martel from Latin martellus, with historical sound changes producing the modern ending.

Usage tips

  • The plural is marteaux, pronounced like marteau, because the final x is silent.

Other meanings

  • malletnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word