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

verb (2)

hailed; hailing; hails

Definition of hail (Entry 3 of 5)

transitive verb

1a : to greet with enthusiastic approval : acclaim hailed as a great success

b : salute, greet returning soldiers hailed with parades

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

interjection

Definition of hail (Entry 4 of 5)

1 —used to express acclamation hail 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

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Synonyms & Antonyms for hail

Synonyms: Noun (1)

Synonyms: Verb (2)

Synonyms: Noun (2)

Antonyms: Verb (2)

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

Verb (2)

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

Interjection

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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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Cite this Entry

“Hail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hail. Accessed 16 May. 2021.

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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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hail

Definition of hail

Other Words from hail

Synonyms & Antonyms for hail

First Known Use of hail

History and Etymology for hail

Learn More about hail

Dictionary Entries near hail

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