hashtag

[hash-tag]

noun

1. (on social media websites)

   1. a word or phrase preceded by a hash mark (#), used within a message to identify a keyword or topic of interest and facilitate a search for it.

      The hashtag #sandiegofire was used to help coordinate an emergency response to the fire.

   2. a hash mark used in this way.

2. 1. a word or phrase preceded by a hash mark (#) or by the word hashtag , used to add wit or emphasis to a spoken or written statement.

   2. a hash mark or the word hashtag used in this way, as in the sentence His goodbye was so hashtag awkward.

verb (used with or without object)

hashtagged, hashtagging 

1. to add a hashtag to (a word, topic, or message).

   Someone on Twitter just hashtagged the film festival.

hashtag

/ ˈhæʃˌtæɡ /

noun

1. (on the Twitter website) a word or phrase preceded by a hash mark, used to denote the topic of a post

Word History and Origins

Origin of hashtag¹

First recorded in 2005–10; hash (mark) + tag ¹ (in the sense “a label or keyword”)

Example Sentences

In one message Bilel Saadaoui had sent Mr Hussein a link to a news report that a number of Jewish people had been killed in a bridge collapse, and he added the hashtag "Beloved Palestine".

Read more on BBC

Under the hashtag #RaptureTok, creators are claiming that on September 23 and 24, 2025, faithful Christians will be swept into Heaven, leaving everyone else behind to endure seven terrible years of tribulation.

Read more on Salon

The Filipino internet has also taken aim at the children of politicians and contractors suspected of misusing funds, branding them with the hashtag "nepo babies".

Read more on BBC

Chinese social media quickly caught light of her comments, and the hashtag "American tennis player publicly insults Chinese food" started trending.

Read more on BBC

A TikTok account with the name Weoley Warriors has used the hashtag "operation raise the colours" in some posts, a phrase that many accounts are using alongside pictures of various flag locations.

Read more on BBC

When To Use

What does hashtag mean?

A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by a hash mark (#), also known as a pound sign, used primarily on social media.On social media, hashtags provide users a way to search for posts related to the word or phrase in the hashtag. You can click on a hashtag to see a list of recent posts that include that keyword. (A couple of our favorites are #WordOfTheDay and #WordNerd.)To hashtag means to add a hashtag to a word, topic, or message, as in We hashtag our posts about history with #HistoryMatters so you can find them easily.Example: Use the hashtag #petthedog with a video of you petting your dog for a chance to win our contest.