headache

[hed-eyk]

noun

1. a pain located in the head, as over the eyes, at the temples, or at the base of the skull.

2. an annoying or bothersome person, situation, activity, etc.

headache

/ ˈhɛdˌeɪk /

noun

1. Technical name: cephalalgia. pain in the head, caused by dilation of cerebral arteries, muscle contraction, insufficient oxygen in the cerebral blood, reaction to drugs, etc

2. informal,  any cause of worry, difficulty, or annoyance

headache

1. Pain in the head, caused by stimulation of or pressure to any of various structures of the head, such as tissue covering the cranium, cranial nerves, or blood vessels. Headache can be a primary disorder, as in migraine or cluster headaches, or a common symptom associated with head injury or many illnesses such as acute infection, brain tumor or abscess, eye disorders such as glaucoma, dental disease, and hypertension.

2. See also cluster headache migraine

Word History and Origins

Origin of headache¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English hēafodece. See head, ache

Example Sentences

Early symptoms include a rash, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headache and fever, but can often be overlooked or misinterpreted.

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“Strong to severe thunderstorms out ahead of this storm from Texas to Indiana will create major travel headaches for anyone flying out on Sunday.”

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While travel may always be stressful, for now it seems like the worst of the headaches are coming to an end.

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Today, I have my hands full caring for Karen; caring, as well, for our house and our large yard is a headache I could have avoided.

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In addition, tracking fees and expenses—a longtime headache for private-equity investors—is becoming harder with the growth of retail money, Prunier said.

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Related Words

• dilemma 
• hassle 
• inconvenience 
• trouble 
• worry