hi-hat
Americannoun
noun
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.
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
Peligro counts off the track, which begins with 15 seconds of an arena rock-influenced intro before transitioning into four seconds of Peligro using both hands on the hi-hat with an accompanying steady kick drum.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2022
Many young, mostly male M.C.s were emerging, adopting the distinctive hi-hat percussion and skittering snares of the popular American trap sound, but rapping in Icelandic.
From New York Times ● May 29, 2020
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
Hector Santos kept the beat tight on percussion with two buckets, a brass hi-hat, and a snare drum.
From "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground" by Rita Williams-Garcia
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
