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headliner

American  
[hed-lahy-ner] / ˈhɛdˌlaɪ nər /

noun

  1. a performer whose name appears most prominently in a program or advertisement or on a marquee; star.

headliner British  
/ ˈhɛdˌlaɪnə /

noun

  1. a performer given prominent billing; star

"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

Etymology

Origin of headliner

First recorded in 1890–95; headline + -er 1

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.

“Mingus at Monterey” was recorded in September 1964, at a Monterey Jazz Festival whose headliners also included Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis.

From The Wall Street Journal

They're festival headliners, with two number one albums and an international fan base.

From BBC

If Root was the headliner on the opening day at the Gabba, there were plenty in the supporting cast to provide the subplots.

From BBC

Reading and Leeds bosses said the twin events would be the only UK festival appearances for all six headliners next year.

From BBC

But Mr. Fuentes doesn’t really expect to be a headliner at campaign rallies.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.