Helmet vs. Hat — What's the Difference?

A helmet is a form of protective gear worn to protect the head. More specifically, a helmet complements the skull in protecting the human brain.

A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory.In the past, hats were an indicator of social status. In the military, hats may denote nationality, branch of service, rank or regiment.

A protective head covering made of hard material, such as leather, metal, or plastic

A covering for the head, especially one with a shaped crown and brim.

The headgear with a glass mask worn by deep-sea divers.

A head covering of distinctive color and shape worn as a symbol of office.

A pith helmet; a topi.

The office symbolized by the wearing of such a head covering.

A head covering, such as a balaclava, that is shaped like a helmet.

A role or office symbolized by or as if by the wearing of different hats

A piece of armor, usually made of metal, designed to protect the head.

To supply or cover with a hat.

(Botany) The hood-shaped sepal or corolla of some flowers.

A covering for the head, often in the approximate form of a cone, dome or cylinder closed at its top end, and sometimes having a brim and other decoration.

To provide with or put on a helmet.

(figuratively) A particular role or capacity that a person might fill.

A hard, protective head covering, typically part of armour.

(figuratively) Any receptacle from which numbers/names are pulled out in a lottery.

That which resembles a helmet in form, position, etc.

The lottery or draw itself.

The upper part of a chemist's retort.

(video games) A hat switch.

The hood-shaped upper sepal or petal of some flowers, as of the monkshood or the snapdragon.

The háček symbol.

A naked shield or protuberance on the top or fore part of the head of a bird.

The caret symbol ^.

(heraldry) The feature above a shield on a coat of arms.

(internet slang) User rights on a website, such as the right to edit pages others cannot.

The glans penis.

A student who is also the son of a nobleman (and so allowed to wear a hat instead of a mortarboard).

(transitive) To cover with, or as if with, a helmet.

(transitive) To place a hat on.

A defensive covering for the head. See Casque, Headpiece, Morion, Sallet, and Illust. of Beaver.

(transitive) To appoint as cardinal.

The representation of a helmet over shields or coats of arms, denoting gradations of rank by modifications of form.

(intransitive) To shop for hats.

A helmet-shaped hat, made of cork, felt, metal, or other suitable material, worn as part of the uniform of soldiers, firemen, etc., also worn in hot countries as a protection from the heat of the sun.

Hot.

That which resembles a helmet in form, position, etc.

A covering for the head; esp., one with a crown and brim, made of various materials, and worn by men or women for protecting the head from the sun or weather, or for ornament.

Armor plate that protects the head

Headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

A protective headgear made of hard material to resist blows

An informal term for a person's role;

Put on or wear a hat;

Furnish with a hat