hail

noun (1)

\ ˈhāl

Definition of hail

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : precipitation in the form of small balls or lumps usually consisting of concentric layers of clear ice and compact snow

2 : something that gives the effect of a shower of hail a hail of rifle fire

hail

verb (1)

hailed; hailing; hails

Definition of hail (Entry 2 of 5)

intransitive verb

1 : to precipitate hail (see hail entry 1) it was hailing hard

2 : to pour down or strike like hail Bullets were hailing down on them.

hail

interjection

Definition of hail (Entry 3 of 5)

1 archaic —used as a salutation

2 —used to express acclamation hail to the chief— Sir Walter Scott

hail

verb (2)

hailed; hailing; hails

Definition of hail (Entry 4 of 5)

transitive verb

1a : salute, greet returning soldiers hailed with parades

b : to greet with enthusiastic approval : acclaim hailed as a great success

2 : to greet or summon by calling hail a taxi

intransitive verb

: to call out especially : to call a greeting to a passing ship

hail from

: to be or have been native to or a resident of She hails from Chicago.

hail

noun (2)

Definition of hail (Entry 5 of 5)

1 : an exclamation of greeting or acclamation greeted the emperor with a hail

2 : a calling to attract attention

3 : hearing distance stayed within hail

First Known Use of hail

Noun (1)

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

Verb (1)

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

Interjection

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for hail

Noun (1) and Verb (1)

Middle English, from Old English hægl; akin to Old High German hagal hail

Interjection, Verb (2), and Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old Norse heill, from heill healthy — more at whole

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Time Traveler for hail

The first known use of hail was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for hail

hail

noun

\ ˈhāl

Kids Definition of hail

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : small lumps of ice and snow that fall from the clouds sometimes during thunderstorms

2 : volley entry 1 sense 1 a hail of bullets

hail

verb

hailed; hailing

Kids Definition of hail (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : to fall as hail It's hailing hard.

2 : to pour down like hail Confetti hailed on the parade.

hail

verb

hailed; hailing

Kids Definition of hail (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : greet sense 1, welcome The town hailed the returning soldiers.

2 : to call out to I'll hail a taxi.

hail from

: to come from She hails from Oklahoma.

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WORD OF THE DAY

commemorate

to mark by some ceremony or observation

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hail

Definition of hail

Other Words from hail

First Known Use of hail

History and Etymology for hail

Learn More about hail

Dictionary Entries near hail

Statistics for hail

The first known use of hail was before the 12th century