red hat

American  

noun

1. the broad-brimmed official hat of a Roman Catholic cardinal, symbolic of the office or rank of a cardinal.

2. a cardinal.

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red hat British  

noun

1. the broad-brimmed crimson hat given to cardinals as the symbol of their rank and office

2. the rank and office of a cardinal

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Etymology

Origin of red hat

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

A woman who looked more than a decade older than I, wearing a fabulous red hat, sat next to me.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

He stood about 25 feet tall, ax in hand, wearing a red hat and rictus grin.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

There are no viral clips, no TikTok reactions from red hat superfans and no manufactured outrage that turns into free publicity.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026

But several wore a red hat, scarf or shawl, recalling the designer's signature colour.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

I thought I saw a boy in a red hat, but when I blinked, he was gone.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson