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

Shep says that Craig isn’t in the warehouse with a hard hat on and that his business partner, Jerry, does all the work. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025

Wear protective equipment, including a hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, boots, and warm clothing. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2024

The underlying risks are clear from the gear required to enter Goldrush: boots, hard hats, tool belts, vests, and emergency carbon dioxide scrubbers. —Greg McKenna, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024

During tours of the mine, which are narrated by retired miners; visitors wear hard hats and headlamps and ride a train into the mine, just as miners did to get to work. —Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

hard hat

noun

1

: a protective helmet worn especially by construction workers

2

: a construction worker