catchword

[ kach-wurd ]

/ ˈkætʃˌwɜrd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR catchword ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a memorable or effective word or phrase that is repeated so often that it becomes a slogan, as in a political campaign or in advertising a product.

Also called headword, guide word. a word printed at the top of a page in a dictionary or other reference book to indicate the first or last entry or article on that page.Compare running head.

a device, used especially in old books, to assist the binder in assembling signatures by inserting at the foot of each page the first word of the following page.

keyword(def 3).

Nearby words

catchpole, catchup, catchwater drain, catchweed, catchweight, catchword, catchy, catclaw, catcon, cate, catechesis

Origin of catchword

First recorded in 1720–30; catch + word

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for catchword

The idea that jazz has become a catchword for pomposity is painful for those of us who care deeply about this music.
What’s With This Uncool Surge in Jazz Bashing?|Ted Gioia|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"'Water is King,'" he was saying, quoting thus the catchword of this particular concern.
The Rules of the Game|Stewart Edward White
If you are busy, at least give me a line, and the catchword for the part I am to act.
Dangerous Connections, v. 1, 2, 3, 4|Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
They invented the catchword of "one hundred per cent Americanism," the test of which was to be opposition to the treaty.
Woodrow Wilson and the World War|Charles Seymour

From516 that time the hollow phrase, Christian-German (or Teutsch), arose, and speedily became a catchword.
History of the Jews, Vol. V (of 6)|Heinrich Graetz
A catchword, propos of nothing, is always useful, so I have duly provided it.
Mr. Punch's Cockney Humour|Various

British Dictionary definitions for catchword

catchword

/ (ˈkætʃˌwɜːd) /

noun

a word or phrase made temporarily popular, esp by a political campaign; slogan

a word printed as a running head in a reference book

theatre an actor's cue to speak or enter

the first word of a printed or typewritten page repeated at the bottom of the page preceding

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012