1 : meat from the leg of a hog that is often prepared by smoking or salting [noncount] ▪ a piece/slice of ham ▪ We're having ham for dinner. ▪ a ham sandwich [count] ▪ a delicious ham 2 [count] informal a disapproving : a bad actor who performs in an exaggerated way
▪ He was once a fine actor, but now he's just an old ham. ▪ a ham actor
b : someone who enjoys performing and who tends to behave in an exaggerated or playful way when people are watching
▪ Cameras bring out the ham in her. 3 [count] : someone who operates an amateur radio station — often used before another noun ▪ ham radio ▪ a ham radio operator