masthead

American  

[mast-hed, mahst-] / ˈmæstˌhɛd, ˈmɑst- /

noun

1. Also called flag.  a statement printed in all issues of a newspaper, magazine, or the like, usually on the editorial page, giving the publication's name, the names of the owner and staff, etc.

2. Also called nameplate.  a line of type on the front page of a newspaper or the cover of a periodical giving the name of the publication.

3. Nautical.

   1. the head of a mast.

   2. the uppermost point of a mast.

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verb (used with object)

Nautical.

mastheads, present (3rd person singular) mastheaded, past participle, past mastheading present participle

1. to hoist a yard to the fullest extent.

2. to hoist to the truck of a mast, as a flag.

3. to send to the upper end of a mast as a punishment.

adjective

1. Nautical. run up to the head of a mast.

   masthead rig.

masthead British  

/ ˈmɑːstˌhɛd /

noun

1. nautical

   1. the head of a mast

   2. ( as modifier )

      masthead sail

2. Also called: flag.  the name of a newspaper or periodical, its proprietors, staff, etc, printed in large type at the top of the front page

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verb

1. to send (a sailor) to the masthead as a punishment

2. to raise (a sail) to the masthead

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have mastheaded
  perfect
• has mastheaded
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am mastheading
  progressive 1st person singular
• is mastheading
  progressive 3rd person singular
• mastheads
  singular 3rd person
• mastheading
  participle
• has been mastheading
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• have been mastheading
  perfect progressive
• are mastheading
  progressive

Past

• had mastheaded
  perfect
• had been mastheading
  perfect progressive
• were mastheading
  progressive plural
• was mastheading
  progressive singular
• mastheaded
  simple
• mastheaded
  participle

Future

• will masthead
  simple
• will have mastheaded
  perfect
• will be mastheading
  progressive
• will have been mastheading
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of masthead

First recorded in 1740–50; mast ¹ + head

Explanation

In publishing, a masthead is a list at the top of a page that includes the names of editors, writers, and owners, as well as the title of the newspaper or magazine. You'll usually find the masthead on one of the first few pages. In the UK, a masthead is slightly different: it's the title page, also known in the US as the "nameplate." American publications include editorial and ownership information on the masthead, while their British counterparts call this the "imprint." The sense of a masthead as the "top of a newspaper or magazine" comes from the word's original meaning, "top of a ship," from mast, "long pole that holds a ship's sail."

Example Sentences

More than a year after he bought the Times, Soon-Shiong met with masthead editors, discussing the paper’s plans over Chinese takeout.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

And even if you can’t make the meetings, you’ll come to know your local paper’s masthead.

From Salon • Dec. 3, 2025

The lowest name on her entertainment magazine’s masthead, Ariel hopes that writing about famous people will get some of their shine to bounce back on her.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2025

And when it arrived, 10 days later, in its crisp envelope and printed on thick white paper complete with an official government masthead - I felt weirdly satisfied, almost vindicated.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2024

But Ifemelu was full of sanguine expectations for The Small Redemptions of Lagos, with a dreamy photograph of an abandoned colonial house on its masthead.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie