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Synonyms

helmet

American  
[hel-mit] / ˈhɛl mɪt /

noun

  • helmets
    plural
  1. any of various forms of protective head covering worn by soldiers, firefighters, divers, cyclists, etc.

  2. medieval armor for the head.

  3. (in fencing, singlestick, etc.) a protective device for the head and face consisting of reinforced wire mesh.

  4. anything resembling a helmet in form or position.


helmet British  
/ ˈhɛlmɪt /

noun

  1. a piece of protective or defensive armour for the head worn by soldiers, policemen, firemen, divers, etc

  2. biology a part or structure resembling a helmet, esp the upper part of the calyx of certain flowers

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of helmet

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French healmet, helmet, diminutive of helme helm 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Whether he is pulling a pint, tossing a builder's helmet in the air or running with Olympic medallist Mo Farah, the UK's new prime minister Andy Burnham has embraced social media with a deft touch.

From Barron's Aug. 16, 2026

It is the stride to the crease with his helmet in one hand and the way he hits sixes over straight mid-wicket.

From BBC Aug. 15, 2026

By the fifth, the Dodgers were out of ABS challenges, with Miguel Rojas tapping his helmet to check on a called strike that wound up being squarely in the strike zone.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 11, 2026

Ferrand-Prevot, perched near-upright with an awkward-fitting aero helmet, looked as if she was trying to catch the French wind with a mop bucket and a pillowcase.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 10, 2026

Just then, someone else comes down the stairs, a man in a baseball helmet holding a vacuum cleaner.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

"You feel exhausted, it's mostly mental fatigue," he said while standing next to a group of friends wearing orange vests and helmets.

From Barron's Aug. 17, 2026

Footage from inside showed rescue workers in orange overalls and white helmets picking their way through a mass of twisted steel, dangling cables and chunks of ceiling.

From Barron's Jul. 30, 2026

What about helmets wrapped to look like frozen meatballs or wheels of imported Parmesan?

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 30, 2026

In stark contrast, several motorcycle suits and helmets were seen hanging neatly from hooks; Bush boasted of his motorcycle racing exploits, posting videos on social media.

From BBC Jul. 29, 2026

In Hardwick’s eyes, “The police, protected by their helmets, are frightened and confused by these seizures of happiness.”

From "Because They Marched" by Russell Freedman

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