hashtag

American  

[hash-tag] / ˈhæʃˌtæg /

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.

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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 British  

/ ˈhæʃˌtæɡ /

noun

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

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of hashtag

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

Example Sentences

The term "DINK" has gone viral on Chinese social media, including Xiaohongshu, where its hashtag has received more than 731 million views, sparking differing views on the subject.

From Barron's

Online, young women and girls launched a wave of solidarity campaigns, using hashtags invoking Saabirin's name.

From BBC

Before it was opened on 29 November, Mayor Andrea Biancani posted a doctored image of Pavarotti's statue playing ice hockey with the hashtag #DaiUnCinqueAPavarotti, which translates to "Give a high-five to Pavarotti".

From BBC

She said: "I've been tagging everybody, like 'hashtag John Lewis your ad is nothing on this'".

From BBC

Beauty, appliance maker Ninja and BMW had “ghosted” them too, sometimes but not always adding a hashtag or note indicating that their videos were satire to avoid confusion or potential legal trouble.

From The Wall Street Journal