hard hat

noun

for sense 1 usually

ˈhärd-ˈhat 

for senses 1b and 2

ˈhärd-ˌhat 

1

a

: a protective hat made of rigid material (such as metal or fiberglass) and worn especially by construction workers

b

: a construction worker

2

: a conservative who is intolerant of opposing views

Examples of hard hat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Multiple witnesses — including someone with a hard hat and a flashlight, and another person who appeared to be driving a passing vehicle — can then be seen checking on the individual, who eventually was able to stand up on his own. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025

The women adjust hard hats over hijabs and pull on knee-high boots. —Sara Miller Llana, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Mar. 2025

At the end of the tunnel, visitors were given hard hats and full white body suits with plastic booties for their feet. —Eric Baculinao, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024

Wearing hard hats and vests, two workers took photographs and asked questions about the work site. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for hard hat

• begat
• bobcat
• chitchat
• doormat
• ducat
• eclat
• format
• hazmat
• muskrat
• nonfat
• polecat
• thereat

Kids Definition

hard hat

noun

1

: a protective helmet worn especially by construction workers

2

: a construction worker