h

1 of 4

noun

ˈāch

plural h's or hs ˈā-chəz

often capitalized, often attributive

: the 8th letter of the English alphabet

: a graphic representation of this letter

: a speech counterpart of orthographic h

: a graphic device for reproducing the letter h

: one designated h especially as the eighth in order or class

: something shaped like the letter H

2 of 4

abbreviation (1)

half

harbor

hard; hardness

hect-; hecto-

height

high

hit

horse

hour

humidity

hundred

husband

3 of 4

abbreviation (2)

Hamiltonian

henry

heroin

4 of 4

symbol

hydrogen

Example Sentences

Noun The word “hand” begins with an h. The word “hand” begins with h.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of h was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Articles Related to h

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

When each letter can be seen but not heard

Absent Letters That Are Heard Anyway

They aren't seen but they are heard

7 Uncommonly Doubled Letters

For word games and other shenanigans

Cite this Entry

Style

“H.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/h. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

noun

ˈāch

often capitalized

: the eighth letter of the English alphabet

Medical Definition

1 of 3 abbreviation

height

[Latin hora] hour

—used in writing prescriptions see qh

2 of 3 abbreviation

heroin

3 of 3 symbol

hydrogen

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h

noun

abbreviation (1)

abbreviation (2)

symbol

Example Sentences

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near h

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition