heading

American  

[hed-ing] / ˈhɛd ɪŋ /

noun

1. something that serves as a head, top, or front.

2. a title or caption of a page, chapter, etc.

3. a section of the subject of a discourse; a main division of a topic or theme.

4. the compass direction toward which a traveler or vehicle is or should be moving; course.

5. an active underground mining excavation in the earth, as a drift or raise being or about to be driven.

6. Aeronautics. the angle between the axis from front to rear of an aircraft and some reference line, as magnetic north.

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heading British  

/ ˈhɛdɪŋ /

noun

1. a title for a page, paragraph, chapter, etc

2. a main division, as of a lecture, speech, essay, etc

3. mining

   1. a horizontal tunnel

   2. the end of such a tunnel

4. the angle between the direction of an aircraft and a specified meridian, often due north

5. the compass direction parallel to the keel of a vessel

6. the act of heading

7. anything that serves as a head

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Other Word Forms

• nonheading noun

Etymology

Origin of heading

First recorded in 1250–1300, heading is from the Middle English word hefding. See head, -ing ¹

Explanation

A heading is a word, phrase, or sentence at the beginning of a written passage that explains what it's about. A heading is very similar to a title. A heading is similar to a caption, a line below a photograph that briefly explains it. Headings show up at the top of paragraphs, chapters, or pages, and they give you an idea of what the subject is. You might write a heading for each chapter of your novel, or on each page of your French club newsletter. The 1300's meaning of heading was "beheading," and it wasn't until the late 1800's that it came to mean "title."

Example Sentences

Before the earnings release on Wednesday, a Morgan Stanley analyst team, led by Daniela Haigian, wrote that investors were “tactically cautious” heading into the earnings report.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

And the White House included the rule change as one of its agenda items for the SSA heading into 2025.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

The brawl has been likened to two heavyweight boxers heading into the ring.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Hamilton was heading to Ferrari—and Wolff had a call to make.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

We’re heading to London to find answers, but as the train rattles farther and farther from Bletchley, a dark realization settles over me.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• route