high hat high·hat uncommon slang noun 1. cymbals that are operated by a foot pedal Synonymshigh-hat cymbalhigh hat 2. a man''s hat with a tall crown; usually covered with beaver or silk Synonymsdress hathigh hatopera hatsilk hatstovepipetop hattopperbeaver Related words Word family high-hat cymbal Broader terms hatcymbal WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved.