headline
Americannoun
-
headlines
plural
-
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.
-
the largest such heading on the front page, usually at the top.
-
the line at the top of a page, containing the title, pagination, etc.
verb (used with object)
-
to furnish with a headline.
-
to mention or name in a headline.
-
to publicize, feature, or star (a specific performer, product, etc.).
-
to be the star of (a show, nightclub act, etc.)
verb (used without object)
noun
-
Also called: head. heading.
-
a phrase at the top of a newspaper or magazine article indicating the subject of the article, usually in larger and heavier type
-
a line at the top of a page indicating the title, page number, etc
-
-
(usually plural) the main points of a television or radio news broadcast, read out before the full broadcast and summarized at the end
-
to become prominent in the news
verb
-
(tr) to furnish (a story or page) with a headline
-
to have top billing (in)
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of headline
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."
Vocabulary lists containing headline
Journalism
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Journalism Jargon
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Unit 6, Week 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"Monstrous", is the paper's one-word headline in reference to how the earl characterised the King's words.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
This tallies with what frontman Liam Gallagher posted on X last month, in response to one fan-site noting they were bookmakers' favourites to headline the festival.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
A significant widening in profit margin—due to improved efficiency and the strengthening zloty against the dollar—also helped headline profit figures.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
"And if the government doesn't resume subsidies for electricity and gas, higher generation costs could lift headline inflation well above three percent," said Thieliant, who expects rates to hit two percent by mid-2027.
From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026
Sending Gary Drake to Mr. Nixon’d’ve turned his joke into today’s main headline.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
The Times also headlines on Earl Spencer's claims.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
The president and lawmakers were talking about AI policy, news organizations had multiple headlines a day and fears about a potential AI-driven apocalypse had taken hold across the country.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
With fears about AI making global headlines, agreement to cooperate on regulation or a slowdown is expected to be a major topic of discussion between Trump and Xi.
From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026
The Daily Star headlines on King Charles being allegedly "giddily elated like a lottery winner" when he him called about Diana's death, her brother, Earl Spencer, claimed in the book.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
I should be ecstatic, but the headlines still pain me.
From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon
Looking ahead to the next edition in 2028, the Ultimate Championship will be positioned at the end of a season which is headlined by an Olympics.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
A few weeks ago at the end of a dispiriting workday, I dragged my husband to an outdoor show headlined by The Breeders.
From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026
The inaugural fest, headlined by Olivia Dean and the Killers, is a watershed moment for Santa Monica as a music town.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
At the opening party for Windows on the World in 1976, headlined by opera star Beverly Sills and Mayor Abe Beame, Glaser’s dishware began to disappear.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
It doesn’t mention the even-bigger-to-me news that last night Shooting Star headlined at a club in Seattle and, according to the text Adam sent me at midnight, sold out the place.
From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman
A company press release, headlining a “Major Milestone,” was ready to go.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Now, the English band, known for such classics as “Tempted,” “Black Coffee in Bed” and “Hourglass,” is finally preparing to grab its biggest headlining gig in L.A. to date.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
A promoter pitched him on headlining a series of morning family concerts—and Australian dates sold out in days.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
The likes of Saint Levant, Dystinct and Khaled are headlining the one-day festival, which feels like a step forward for Arabic music fan Mariam Azam.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
