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)
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
verb (2)hailed; hailing; hails
Definition of hail (Entry 3 of 5)
1a : to greet with enthusiastic approval : acclaim hailed as a great success
2 : to greet or summon by calling
hail a taxi
: 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
interjectionDefinition of hail (Entry 4 of 5)
1 —used to express acclamationhail to the chief— Sir Walter Scott
2 archaic —used as a salutation
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
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
- Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Words of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizName that Thing: Toys and Games Edition
It's all fun and games until someone beats your h...
Take the quizTrue or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quizSCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share hail
Time Traveler for hail
The first known use of hail was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century