highball
Americannoun
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a drink of whiskey mixed with club soda or ginger ale and served with ice in a tall glass.
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Railroads.
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a signal to start a train, given with the hand or with a lamp.
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a signal for a train to move at full speed.
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Military Slang. a hand salute.
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
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a long iced drink consisting of a spirit base with water, soda water, etc
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(originally in railway use) a signal that the way ahead is clear and one may proceed
verb
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(intr) to move at great speed
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(tr) to drive (a vehicle) at great speed
Etymology
Origin of highball
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.
The Declaration of Independence appeared on highball glasses, tea towels and collectible plates.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
For contrast, a gulpable yuzu highball fizzes citrusy-sweet.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 8, 2023
Fill a highball glass three-quarters of the way with ice cubes, interspersing with cucumber wheels and watermelon ice, if using.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 20, 2021
While the Cuba Libre cocktail features a mixture of rum and Coke brightened with a hit of fresh lime, chief food critic for Eater New York Ryan Sutton prefers his highball sans citrus juice.
From Salon ● Jun. 24, 2021
He'd served Eleanor clam chowder once in a highball glass.
From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell
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.
