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head of the household

American  

noun

plural

heads of households

  1. a member of a household who is primarily responsible for the household's affairs.

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.

Economists and demographers understand the term head of the household to refer to someone who earns money and has authority to take decisions in the family.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2023

There are the Feats of Strength, through which the head of the household may reassert his or her dominance by pinning the family member of their choice in a wrestling match.

From Salon • Dec. 23, 2022

Though George is the dad, he’s not the head of the household; it’s not even his house.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2022

“If you’re the head of the household, I’ve got to be strong at all times. Because in their eyes, you’re a superhero.”

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2022

“Is the head of the household in?” he asked.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

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.