highball

1 of 2

noun

high·​ball ˈhī-ˌbȯl How to pronounce highball (audio)
Synonyms of highballnext
1
: an iced drink containing liquor (such as whiskey) and water or a carbonated beverage (such as ginger ale) and served in a tall glass
2
: a railroad signal for a train to proceed at full speed

highball

2 of 2

verb

highballed; highballing; highballs

intransitive verb

: to go at full or high speed
a highballing express train

Synonyms of highball

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Verb

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Examples of highball in a Sentence

Verb trying to make up for lost time, the train just highballed through the station without stopping
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Her menu of highballs and Japanese whiskey cocktails would be served alongside hand rolls at Kata Nori and as a takeover of XO HiFi’s bar. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 There are also whiskey highballs or neat pours with Japanese and Korean spirits, such as Suntory Toki on the low end ($13) and Akkeshi Shoman Shosetsu for the baller crowd ($39). — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 Fever Tree Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade Method Pour all ingredients into a highball glass filled with ice and stir. — John Kell, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 For drinks, there will be signature highballs, soju, sake, makgeolli rice wine, and Korean and domestic beer. — Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for highball

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of highball was in 1894

Rhymes for highball

See All Rhymes for highball

Browse Nearby Words

high-back
highball
highballer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Highball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/highball. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

highball

noun
high·​ball
ˈhī-ˌbȯl
: a drink of alcoholic liquor with water or a carbonated beverage served in a tall glass

More from Merriam-Webster on highball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about highball

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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