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
Adding a hat to your outfit is an easy way to boost your defenses, and few caps are better at helping than the boonie hat. William Goodman, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 Designers opted for practicality as well; there were sturdy gloves to brave the elements, boots made for marching, and hats cut close to the scalp in the manner of swimming caps. Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 Officers also discovered a lighter, hat, mask and gloves used during the crime and a bag of thermite. The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 That’s Key To A Gut-Friendly Diet By Lauren Murdoch-Smith Entertainment Your Horoscope for the Week Ahead Entertainment Kylie Jenner Declined to Talk About Timothée Chalamet Amid Breakup Rumors The hats are reminiscent of what Ken believes to be a cornerstone of patriarchy: Westerncore. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 11 Mar. 2024 Grab a few and use them for hats, shirts, pants, handbags, purses, and more. Bridget Degnan, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Wilson, wearing a canvas safari hat, a bow tie, and a sweater vest, stood before the children, who lined up in neat rows with their hands behind their backs. Emma Green, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 This craft kit contains everything your kids need to make their own trap, complete with a leprechaun hat, rainbow and a pot of gold. Christopher Murray, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2024 Not to mention the gentleman’s hat in the back left is gibberish. Maxwell Zeff / Gizmodo, Quartz, 4 Mar. 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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