highball

[ hahy-bawl ]

noun

1. a drink of whiskey mixed with club soda or ginger ale and served with ice in a tall glass.
2. Railroads.
   1. a signal to start a train, given with the hand or with a lamp.
   2. a signal for a train to move at full speed.
3. Military Slang. a hand salute.

verb (used without object)

1. Slang. to move at full speed.

verb (used with object)

1. to signal to (the engineer of a train) to proceed.

highball

/ ˈhaɪˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a long iced drink consisting of a spirit base with water, soda water, etc
2. (originally in railway use) a signal that the way ahead is clear and one may proceed

verb

1. intr to move at great speed
2. tr to drive (a vehicle) at great speed

Word History and Origins

Origin of highball¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; high + ball ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of highball¹

C19: (in sense 2) from the early railway signal consisting of a ball hoisted to the top of a pole

Example Sentences

Real glassware — my highball glass had dimples, which conveniently made it easier to grip in the dark — added a classy touch.

From Seattle Times

Pour or ladle into highball and top with a single star anise.

From Salon

At the Up & Up in Greenwich Village, the cocktail menu has both illustrations and a key showing rocks, highball and stemmed glasses.

From Seattle Times

He drank highballs, smoked Luckys and drove a custom Lincoln with a TV and VCR in the dashboard.

From Los Angeles Times

"In our Mango Collins, we use a Bare NA Gin which has a peppery note to add an extra dimension to essentially a mango ginger highball."

From Salon

Related Words

• hello
• nod
• ovation
• reception
• salute