hashtag

IPA/ˈhæʃtæɡ/
KK[hˈæʃtˌæɡ]IPA/ˈhæʃtæɡ/

hashtag — noun

  • hashtagsingular
  • hashtagsplural

1. the # sign found on phone keypads and computer keyboards

1.nounB1
Definition

the # sign found on phone keypads and computer keyboards

Example

Kevin stared at the phone and asked which button was the hashtag.

phone keypad: identify the hashtag button

The cafe password ends with a hashtag before the final number.

Common collocations
  • press the hashtag
  • hashtag key
  • hashtag button
  • type a hashtag
Synonyms
  • hash mark

    common name for the symbol itself, especially outside phone menus

  • pound sign

    common North American name, especially for telephone keypads

  • number sign

    more technical label used in writing and typography

Usage Note

Usually names the # key on a phone or keyboard. Distinguish from sense 2, which refers to a searchable label added to a social-media post.

Common Mistakes

Press the hashtag topic on the phone.
Press the hashtag key on the phone.
in this sense, 'hashtag' names the # key itself, not a social-media label.

2. a word or short expression beginning with # that people add to social-media post

2.nounB1
Definition

a word or short expression beginning with # that people add to social-media posts so others can find messages about the same topic

Example

Reuben added the hashtag #NightMarket to help visitors find his post.

add a hashtag to group posts by topic

During the storm, one local hashtag spread safety updates across the city.

Common collocations
  • add a hashtag
  • click a hashtag
  • popular hashtag
  • campaign hashtag
  • trending hashtag
Synonyms
  • tag

    broader online label; a hashtag is specifically the # version

  • keyword

    focuses on the search term rather than the social-media format

  • label

    general word for a category marker, not limited to online posts

Usage Note

Placed directly before a word or phrase with no spaces, and mainly used to group posts under a searchable topic. Distinguish from sense 1, which simply names the # symbol as a keyboard key.

Common Mistakes

I used #night market as a hashtag.
I used #NightMarket as a hashtag.
spaces split one hashtag into separate words and make it harder to search.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

These words all help organize information, but they are not interchangeable. A hashtag is a tag written with the # symbol and is strongly tied to social-media posts, trends, and searchable topic pages. Tag is the broader everyday word: you can tag a post, a photo, or even a file on your computer. Keyword focuses on the search term itself rather than the social-media format, so it fits web search, databases, and articles. Label is the widest word of all and can describe any category marker, online or offline. A campaign might ask users to post with a hashtag, while a teacher might label folders with keywords for easier filing.

hashtag ↗tag ↗keyword ↗label ↗

Etymology

English

Formed in English by combining hash, an informal name for the # symbol, with tag, meaning a label used to mark or sort something. The word became common in the late 2000s when social-media users started putting # before topic words so related posts could be grouped and searched together.

First known use

2007

2007, in the meaning defined above