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

Trump visited the building last July and on camera presented to Powell an inflated cost estimate, which Powell corrected as the two stood at the construction site in hard hats. —Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Wearing a hard hat, the charter's principal, Justin Blietz, described his vision. —Cory Turner, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026

Many of the workers clad in hard hats and yellow vests were contractors working for Tucker Construction. —Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026

Crazy prediction Jim Schlossnagle will wear ear plugs, a safety vest and a hard hat at Blue Bell Park. —Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 7 Apr. 2026

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