header

American  

[hed-er] / ˈhɛd ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that removes or puts a head on something.

2. a reaping machine that cuts off and gathers only the heads of the grain.

3. a chamber to which the ends of a number of tubes are connected so that water or steam may pass freely from one tube to the other.

4. Automotive. an exhaust manifold.

5. Building Trades.

   1. a brick or stone laid in a wall or the like so that its shorter ends are exposed or parallel to the surface.

   2. a framing member crossing and supporting the ends of joists, studs, or rafters so as to transfer their weight to parallel joists, studs, or rafters.

6. Informal. a plunge or dive headfirst, as into water.

   He stumbled and took a header into the ditch.

7. Soccer. a pass or shot made by heading the ball.

8. a sign that is part of or attached to the top of a rack displaying merchandise.

9. Computers. a line of information placed at the top of a page for purposes of identification.

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header British  

/ ˈhɛdə /

noun

1. Also called: header tank.  a reservoir, tank, or hopper that maintains a gravity feed or a static fluid pressure in an apparatus

2. a manifold for distributing a fluid supply amongst a number of passages

3. a machine that trims the heads from castings, forgings, etc, or one that forms heads, as in wire, to make nails

4. a person who operates such a machine

5. a brick or stone laid across a wall so that its end is flush with the outer surface Compare stretcher

6. the action of striking a ball with the head

7. informal a headlong fall or dive

8. computing

   1. a block of data on a tape or disk providing information about the size, location, etc, of a file

   2. ( as modifier )

      header card

      header label

9. dialect a mentally unbalanced person

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Etymology

Origin of header

First recorded in 1400–50, header is from the late Middle English word heder. See head, -er ¹

Example Sentences

It was ugly, basic - on this occasion unsuccessful, although Maguire did have a header cleared off the line by Yukinari Sugawara in a rare moment of danger for Japan's defence.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

With the game on a knife-edge, the visitors went close to restoring a precious two-goal cushion through Jayson Molumby and Parrott before Krejci's 86th-minute header forced extra-time.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Hallgrimsson's side could have been out of sight but for the post which denied Jason Molumby in the second period and Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar who clawed away a Parrott header.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

The second just four minutes later was a brilliantly-placed header from Matheus Nunes' cross, effectively sealing victory for a jubilant Guardiola who performed a jig of delight on the touchline.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

Coal pointed to the header on the folder that read Keegan, Win.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

Related Words

• dunk