highball

American  

[hahy-bawl] / ˈhaɪˌbɔl /

noun

1. a drink of whiskey mixed with club soda or ginger ale and served with ice in a tall glass.

2. Railroads.

   1. a signal to start a train, given with the hand or with a lamp.

   2. a signal for a train to move at full speed.

3. Military Slang. a hand salute.

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verb (used without object)

1. Slang. to move at full speed.

verb (used with object)

1. to signal to (the engineer of a train) to proceed.

highball British  

/ ˈhaɪˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a long iced drink consisting of a spirit base with water, soda water, etc

2. (originally in railway use) a signal that the way ahead is clear and one may proceed

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verb

1. (intr) to move at great speed

2. (tr) to drive (a vehicle) at great speed

Etymology

Origin of highball

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; high + ball ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

highball

We were in a fierce seller’s market and this was typical: Friends of ours in Boston had been making wild highball offers for years, and had always been outbid.

From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026

The Declaration of Independence appeared on highball glasses, tea towels and collectible plates.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

Real glassware — my highball glass had dimples, which conveniently made it easier to grip in the dark — added a classy touch.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 2, 2024

"In our Mango Collins, we use a Bare NA Gin which has a peppery note to add an extra dimension to essentially a mango ginger highball."

From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2023

But now, glancing down, I saw something else: silver sparkles, bright-needled splinters from the broken mirror, mixed with large, unmistakable shards of a gold-rimmed highball glass, the twin of the one in my own hand.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

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Related Words

• accost
• acknowledge
• address
• approach
• attend
• embrace
• hail
• meet
• receive
• salute
• shake hands
• stop

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