headline
Americannoun
-
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:
However, relatively contained services and accommodation inflation has kept headline and core inflation in check, DBS said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
Olivia Dean and the Killers will headline a new Santa Monica music festival in September.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2026
Cook estimates that headline inflation this year will be about one percentage point higher than what was anticipated a year ago.
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
Consumer prices are due at 8:30 a.m., with the headline rate expected to fall for the first time in six years.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
“Negro Youth Still Missing,” read the front-page headline.
From "Mississippi Trial, 1955" by Chris Crowe
Argentina star Lionel Messi headlines a group of World Cup players having an impact in their late 30s and 40s thanks to advances in sports science.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
Treasury yields fell amid fresh signs of cooling U.S. inflation and a lull in Middle East headlines.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
One example that hit the headlines was the hike in New Jersey Transit train tickets.
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026
Alas, the old girl couldn’t compete with the assortment of crises that transpired during the show’s three-week hiatus, including the once-in-a-lifetime comedy opportunity presented by explosive headlines about explosive diarrhea.
From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2026
Matt removed a copy of the newspaper, put on his spectacles, and read the headlines.
From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary
In a tournament headlined by superstars, Lamine Yamal has arguably yet to hit his peak for Spain, managing just one goal.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
He has attended Burning Man with tech VIPs and headlined panels at the hedge-fund industry’s exclusive gatherings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
The company has made about 50 acquisitions in the last five years, headlined by its high-profile purchase of Confluent in March.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
Even your Houston Mitchell headlined an article saying, “It is May, so Blake Snell must be on the disabled list.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026
The evening newspaper ran a review headlined local group pitches in, cleans up warehouse.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Having dreamed of playing at the Belladrum Festival as a 15-year-old, he will be headlining at the festival's 20th anniversary later this month.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
Duff graced the stage at the Inglewood venue as part of her Lucky Me tour, her first global headlining tour in nearly two decades.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
On a recent Tuesday evening, she was the headlining act at the Love Song Bar in downtown Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
Lipa, 30, is one of the world's biggest pop stars, headlining Glastonbury in 2024.
From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026
I was headlining at clubs all over the country.
From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah
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.
