noun Any of various Old World rodent species belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae.
The hamster stuffed his puffy cheeks with food.
noun In particular, a rodent of the species Mesocricetus auratus (the golden hamster) or of a species of the genera Cricetiscus and Phodopus (the dwarf hamsters), often kept as a pet or used in scientific research.
noun Any of various other rodents of similar appearance, such as the maned hamster or crested hamster, Lophiomys imhausi, mouse-like hamsters of genus Calomyscus, and the white-tailed rat (Mystromys albicaudatus).
verb To secrete or store privately, as a hamster does with food in its cheek pouches.