hi-hat

American

[hahy-hat] / ˈhaɪˌhæt /

Also high hat or hi hat

noun

a set of high-hat cymbals.

hi-hat British

noun

a variant spelling of high-hat

"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

Etymology

Origin of hi-hat

First recorded in 1925–30

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:

hi-hat

On “Situation,” the hissing hi-hat hinted at on earlier tracks becomes explicit and the rhythm is officially disco, though with a twangy urban cowboy version of the beat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026

There he is, proving his virtuosity by limiting his tools, playing nothing but a hi-hat in the manner of a hibachi chef.

From New York Times ● Apr. 4, 2024

At one point, midsong, he told the drummer to play with no hi-hat.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 1, 2023

When she left to pursue a degree, Hannah Billie stepped in, using the hi-hat cymbal – and the song just came alive.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 15, 2019

Some chhh chhh chhh on the hi-hat, and then the crash.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023