Any of four genera (subfamily Cricetinae, family Muridae) of small rodents widely used in research and as pets: Cricetus, Cricetulus, Mesocricetus, and Phodopus. All hamsters are seed and plant feeders, store food, hibernate in winter, and breed throughout the year under laboratory conditions.
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ham·ster 'ham(p)-stər n any of numerous Old World rodents (Cricetus or a related genus) having very large cheek pouches and including several used as laboratory animals
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ham·ster (hamґstər) any member of four genera of the rodent family Muridae; genera used as laboratory animals are Cricetulus, Cricetus, and Mesocricetus.Medical dictionary. 2011.