helmet

[hel-mit]

noun

1. any of various forms of protective head covering worn by soldiers, firefighters, divers, cyclists, etc.

2. medieval armor for the head.

3. (in fencing, singlestick, etc.) a protective device for the head and face consisting of reinforced wire mesh.

4. anything resembling a helmet in form or position.

helmet

/ ˈhɛlmɪt /

noun

1. a piece of protective or defensive armour for the head worn by soldiers, policemen, firemen, divers, etc

2. biology a part or structure resembling a helmet, esp the upper part of the calyx of certain flowers

Other Word Forms

• helmeted adjective
• helmetlike adjective
• unhelmeted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of helmet¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French healmet, helmet, diminutive of helme helm ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of helmet¹

C15: from Old French, diminutive of helme, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

Norris sat on the dunes beside the seaside Zandvoort circuit, helmet on, with his head in his hands after climbing out of his stricken McLaren, as he digested the ramifications of his retirement.

From BBC

Forty years later, he came across them while cleaning out his attic; among the wares was an old football helmet.

From Los Angeles Times

What if people in his hometown, Evergreen, saw him as a real hero instead of a clown in a shiny helmet?

From Salon

A helmet camera, which she had previously used while carrying out jumps, was not used on the day of her death and all her equipment was in working order.

From BBC

It also established that between the two helmets, while the Mandalorian armor’s may look cooler, Peacemaker’s various lids are far more fearsome.

From Salon

Related Words

• armor 
• hard hat 
• hat