From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishhamsterham‧ster /ˈhæmstə $ -ər/ noun [countable] 
HBAa small animal that looks like a mouse with no tail
HBAa small animal that looks like a mouse with no tailExamples from the Corpus
hamster• My brother had a hamster when we were kids.• It all started when she saw a hamster in a pet shop and decided to get another to keep him company.• I peered in, checking the base of the curtains where a hamster might be lurking.• Barking mad Forget familiar classroom pets such as hamsters, gerbils and rabbits.• Was there an effective hamster bait?• Some hamsters nurse and nurture large litters while also eating one or two to recoup strength.• He and I exchanged sharp words when he informed me that the hamster would have to undergo the rabies test.• The hamster appears lifeless if disturbed, but returns to normal in about five minutes.Origin hamster (1600-1700) German Old High German hamustro 