hat

1 of 2

noun

1
: a covering for the head usually having a shaped crown and brim
2
a
: a distinctive head covering worn as a symbol of office
b
: an office, position, or role assumed by or as if by the wearing of a special hat
wore many hats in her career
hatless adjective

hat

2 of 2

verb

hatted; hatting

transitive verb

: to furnish or provide with a hat

intransitive verb

: to make or supply hats
Phrases
under one's hat
: not disclosed
kept the news under his hat

Examples of hat in a Sentence

Noun in those days, no properly dressed person left home without a hat
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Not to mention the gentleman’s hat in the back left is gibberish. Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 There is a 1 in 1,461 chance that a child can be born on such a day, so what better way to honor the little ones than with the knitted leap hats? Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 The hair spills out from underneath the hat and runs down as sideburns. Gerard Albert, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024 The same hat was later found when police conducted a search of Kurer's home. Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024 The hat, indeed, is a largely sexless item of clothing, which is fine. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 29 Feb. 2024 Prosecutors alleged that Bryant left behind a hat with his DNA on it. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2024 Another way to protect yourself from harmful UV rays is by wearing a hat. Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2024 While this hat seems to be more popular among men, ladies like me also love it. Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024
Verb
Another user posted a photo of what looked like a Winnipeg Jets hat with the logo upside down, as well as a Connor Bedard jersey with the name misspelled. Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2023 Another user posted a photo of what looked like a Winnipeg Jets hat with the logo upside down, as well as a Connor Bedard jersey with the name misspelled. Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2023 Matthew Gardner said his brother-in-law had spotted a familiar face, dressed casually in jeans with a Big Issue best and hat on. Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 9 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hæt; akin to Old High German huot head covering — more at hood entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of hat was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hat

Cite this Entry

“Hat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hat. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hat

noun
ˈhat
1
: a covering for the head usually having a shaped crown and brim
2
a
: a distinctive head covering worn as a symbol of office
b
: an office, position, or role assumed as if by the wearing of a special hat
wears many hats in her job

More from Merriam-Webster on hat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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