headline

American  

[hed-lahyn] / ˈhɛdˌlaɪn /

noun

• headlines
  plural

1. a heading in a newspaper for any written material, sometimes for an illustration, to indicate subject matter, set in larger type than that of the copy and containing one or more words and lines and often several banks.

2. the largest such heading on the front page, usually at the top.

3. the line at the top of a page, containing the title, pagination, etc.

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verb (used with object)

headlined, headlining

1. to furnish with a headline.

2. to mention or name in a headline.

3. to publicize, feature, or star (a specific performer, product, etc.).

4. to be the star of (a show, nightclub act, etc.)

verb (used without object)

headlined, headlining

1. to be the star of an entertainment.

headline British  

/ ˈhɛdˌlaɪn /

noun

1. Also called: head, heading.

   1. a phrase at the top of a newspaper or magazine article indicating the subject of the article, usually in larger and heavier type

   2. a line at the top of a page indicating the title, page number, etc

2. (usually plural) the main points of a television or radio news broadcast, read out before the full broadcast and summarized at the end

3. to become prominent in the news

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verb

1. (tr) to furnish (a story or page) with a headline

2. to have top billing (in)

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• headlines
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of headline

First recorded in 1620–30; head + line ¹

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Explanation

A headline is the title of a newspaper story. You'll know the headline, because it's printed in the largest font on the front of the paper. Printed newspapers have headlines, and online journals, magazines, and newspapers also use headlines. A headline is the title of a story in the paper, and it's usually easy to spot by its large, bold letters. Sometimes television and radio news also use the word headline to mean the biggest, most important news stories of the day. The word was originally a printer's term for the title and page number, and by 1890 it meant "newspaper title."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

headline headlines headlined headlining

September’s consumer-price index came in hotter than expected as headline inflation reached 3.7%, slightly above Wall Street’s expectations.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Singapore rounds out the week with September inflation figures on Friday, with both headline and core price growth expected to pick up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

"Homes under the shammers" is the headline of the Sun, as it says Manchester City footballers are "being used to flog a £3bn Abu Dhabi luxury housing development".

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

"The market is no longer paying full geopolitical premium on every headline, and that is probably the most useful signal in the morning price action," wrote SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes.

From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026

When Willi Weisskirch’s father came home from work and read the newspaper headline, he exclaimed, “Oh my God! Now there will be a war. Hitler is the chancellor now, and that means war!”

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

This year the headlines have been about worsening drought rather than the impact of gales.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

“The headlines, the way that it lines up is crazy,” Keller said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

“More gut-check moments will come as yields and headlines ebb and flow through year end,” Ives wrote in a note.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026

Both said that the scandal dominating the headlines and the loss of their dream jobs sent them into the depths of despair.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

I manage to sneak looks at the headlines.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani

The last time two women headlined one of the UFC's flagship numbered events was when Amanda Nunes defeated in June 2023.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Celebrity news site Just Jared published photos in February 2022 of the pair outside the Largo at the Coronet, where they attended a benefit show headlined by Judd Apatow.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Now the news side of the Chronicle has published a story headlined “Scott Wiener spent years rewriting California housing law. What does he have to show for it?”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Kacey Musgraves headlined a tribute to late country legend Dolly Parton, while Teddy Swims, Sombr and Raye offered a soulful tribute to crooner George Michael, 40 years after the release of his landmark album "Faith."

From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026

One night at a small concert headlined by Iron Butterfly, Scruggs was drawn to one of the other performers, Country Joe.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

A company press release, headlining a “Major Milestone,” was ready to go.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

That same day, he’s headlining the Hollywood Bowl, one of his favorite venues in the city.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

Several papers lead with drought declarations for more parts of the UK, affecting "45m Brits", according to the Daily Mirror, headlining with "High & Dry".

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

The Sex Pistols headlining the Palladium in New York City or the Agora in Cleveland wouldn’t have made splashy headlines.

From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026

“I know! You’re headlining at major concert venues all over the world. I completely get that. I’m gonna start in New York and work my way around the globe,” I say.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

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Related Words

• caption
• title

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