A hamburger is a cooked patty of ground beef served on a round bun, usually with toppings like lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles, and condiments. The meat is shaped into a flat, round disk and grilled or fried until cooked through.

Hamburgers became an American icon in the early 1900s and are now one of the most popular foods in the country. You'll find them at backyard cookouts, fast-food restaurants, and fancy steakhouses. A cheeseburger adds melted cheese on top of the patty. Some people prefer their burgers plain and simple, while others pile on creative toppings like bacon, avocado, or fried eggs.

The word can also describe the ground meat itself before it's cooked. When your family buys hamburger at the grocery store, they're getting raw ground beef that could become burgers, meatballs, tacos, or spaghetti sauce. This same meat is also called ground beef or hamburger meat, and it needs to be handled safely and cooked thoroughly.