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

The most common symptoms are fever, chills, headache, aching joints and extreme tiredness.

Read more on BBC

It’s become an annual headache: Each October and November, Americans flock to the internet, complaining of infestations of the cute critters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Those officials believe Pulte has veered outside his lane, creating headaches for the administration.

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Despite the headache, she also didn’t think twice about returning.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

No arguments were settled about the Rogers-Bellingham conundrum on this night, other than to confirm the childhood friends from the Midlands are giving Tuchel the most pleasant of selection headaches.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• dilemma 
• hassle 
• inconvenience 
• trouble 
• worry