Panama hat

American  

noun

1. a hat made of finely plaited young leaves of the jipijapa, a palmlike plant of Central and South America.

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Panama hat British  

noun

1. Often shortened to: panama.   Panama.  (sometimes not capital) a hat made of the plaited leaves of the jipijapa plant of Central and South America

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Etymology

Origin of Panama hat

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Panama hat

One recent afternoon at Avenal City Hall, Preciado, wearing a Panama hat and still calling himself mayor, said he would gladly step down—if the courts make him.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

A big man in a Hawaiian shirt and a Panama hat, Nelson said he gets calls from all over the world when Sept. 30 rolls around.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2025

Valentina Lorini hangs handwoven black trimmings used for the Panama hat range of Stefano Ricci.Credit...

From New York Times ● Jul. 11, 2022

For years, the mustachioed Brito was instantly recognizable behind home plate dressed in a stylish suit and a Panama hat with a cigar clenched in his teeth holding a radar gun.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 7, 2022

Prescriptions for his medicines, a bill for a Panama hat he’d been weanng around the farm, a new, important look for him.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez