hard hat

noun

for sense 1 usually
ˈhärd-ˈhat How to pronounce hard hat (audio)
for senses 1b and 2
ˈhärd-ˌhat How to pronounce hard hat (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But nobody is putting away the hard hats and hammers after ending the eight-year postseason drought last winter. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 June 2025 No one puts on the hard hat like the trio of Freeland, Marquez and Senzatela. Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2025 Crewmen arrived in yellow hard hats: Pedro Medina and Marian Kosiorowski, on foot; Raymon Echevarria, in a utility cart; and Jimmy Figueroa Santiago, in a beeping backhoe. Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 Before stepping on stage, the president spoke briefly with three workers who presented him with a golden hard hat. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for hard hat

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard hat was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hard hat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard%20hat. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

hard hat

noun
1
: a protective helmet worn especially by construction workers
2
: a construction worker

More from Merriam-Webster on hard hat

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