headline

[ hed-lahyn ]

/ ˈhɛdˌlaɪn /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: headline / headlined / headlines / headlining on Thesaurus.com

Definition of headline

noun Also called head .

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), head·lined, head·lin·ing.

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), head·lined, head·lin·ing.

to be the star of an entertainment.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of headline

First recorded in 1620–30; head + line¹

Words nearby headline

headland, headless, headless mule, head lettuce, headlight, headline, headliner, headline rate, head-load, headlock, headlong

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use headline in a sentence

If you’re entering a headline in Week 1423, please don’t also submit it to Anagram Times.
Style Conversational Week 1423: Unnatural acts|Pat Myers|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Some of its biggest price swings were in 2017 and 2018, when a steep rise followed by an 84 percent decline brought plenty of hype and headlines.
Bitcoin’s Blowing Up, and That’s Good News for Human Rights. Here’s Why|Vanessa Bates Ramirez|February 10, 2021|Singularity Hub
These checks, cut at retirement, have made headlines because they sometimes reach six-figure sums.
How We Found Pricey Provisions in New Jersey Police Contracts|by Agnes Chang, Jeff Kao and Agnel Philip, ProPublica, and Andrew Ford, Asbury Park Press|February 8, 2021|ProPublica
It’s become pretty trendy, re-litigating the headline controversies of the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Britney Spears and the trauma of being young, female and famous in the ’90s|Ashley Fetters|February 5, 2021|Washington Post

The coronavirus pandemic — and the inevitable headlines about the total amount bet on Sunday’s Super Bowl — probably will prompt even more legislators to take a close look at sports betting.
Sports gambling could be the pandemic’s biggest winner|Jonathan D. Cohen|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
This same outlet worked the phrase “engagement to toyboy lover” into the headline of their article on Fry.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic|Samantha Allen|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The disbelief was evident in article after article, with one conservative site using “President Pinocchio” in its headline.
Obama Is Right on Race. The Media Is Wrong.|Keli Goff|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then last week, Bloomberg Businessweek ran a banner headline “Jeb Bush Has a Mitt Romney Problem.”
Bush, Christie, Romney: Who’ll Be the GOP Class Warrior?|Lloyd Green|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then, under the bold headline “Rebooting Spider-Man,” Robinov describes a broad vision for the future of the franchise.
Exclusive: Sony Hack Reveals Studio's Detailed Plans For Another ‘Spider-Man’ Reboot|William Boot|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The new headline number for American wine drinking is, for example, easily turned into another misleading statistic.
Beer Countries vs. Wine Countries|Clive Irving|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"'Violet Walbridge confesses to a passion for Honobosa Iccho,'" he declaimed, as if quoting a possible headline.
Happy House|Betsey Riddle, Freifrau von Hutten zum Stolzenberg
The headline to the article was only three words in heavy type across the page: “Trapped at last!”
The Treasure Trail|Marah Ellis Ryan
She read a million newsfeeds, pulling them with a headline reader that sucked up stories as fast as they ended up on the wire.
Little Brother|Cory Doctorow
His death would have rated a banner headline in every paper published south of the United States borders.
The Five Arrows|Allan Chase
He seized the paper and his eyes took in the rest of the headline at a glance.
The Walking Delegate|Leroy Scott

British Dictionary definitions for headline

headline

/ (ˈhɛdˌlaɪn) /

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

hit the headlines to become prominent in the news

verb

(tr) to furnish (a story or page) with a headline

to have top billing (in)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

headline

Definition of headline

Origin of headline

Words nearby headline

Words related to headline

How to use headline in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for headline