headline

American  

[hed-lahyn] / ˈhɛdˌlaɪn /

noun

headlines plural

1. 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.

2. the largest such heading on the front page, usually at the top.

3. the line at the top of a page, containing the title, pagination, etc.

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verb (used with object)

headlined, headlining

1. to furnish with a headline.

2. to mention or name in a headline.

3. to publicize, feature, or star (a specific performer, product, etc.).

4. to be the star of (a show, nightclub act, etc.)

verb (used without object)

headlined, headlining

1. to be the star of an entertainment.

headline British  

/ ˈhɛdˌlaɪn /

noun

1. Also called: head.   heading. 

   1. a phrase at the top of a newspaper or magazine article indicating the subject of the article, usually in larger and heavier type

   2. a line at the top of a page indicating the title, page number, etc

2. (usually plural) the main points of a television or radio news broadcast, read out before the full broadcast and summarized at the end

3. to become prominent in the news

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verb

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

2. to have top billing (in)

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• headlines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of headline

First recorded in 1620–30; head + line ¹

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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

headline headlines headlined headlining

"Fury over Fifa plan to sell off World Cup" is the i Paper's headline, writing that it comes after its boss "Gianni Infantino plans to sell stakes to private investors, potentially earning him millions".

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

Also, “inflation risks extend beyond crude oil. Gasoline and diesel prices have increased more rapidly than crude, making energy costs effectively higher than headline oil prices suggest,” the strategists add.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

So skip the headline about Japan dumping U.S. bonds.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

With headline inflation dipping in June, ahead of further rises expected ahead, analysts say they do not expect a rate hike at this meeting -- but that the decision will likely see some dissenting voices.

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026

A front-page headline in the Chicago Tribune the next day read simply, “The Phenom.”

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

“The selloff we are seeing across U.S. chipmakers like Micron is a standard reaction to geopolitical headlines rather than a change in fundamental demand,” DeYonker said in emailed comments.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

Even headlines like “Can We Kill You For Your Organs, Please?” can inadvertently sow significant concern and mistrust among the public and lead to fewer registered donors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Beneath the headlines, the move likely means more of what businesses and shoppers have already learned to live with: sudden policy shifts, scrambled supply chains and higher prices on imported goods.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

Jason, 17, is talking about what happened in south London in March, when images and videos of hundreds of teenagers running down Clapham High Street made national news headlines.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

The newspaper is splashed with headlines about the surprise attack and the announcement that President Roosevelt has asked Congress to declare war on Japan.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz

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

The same year, Michael Jackson headlined five nights of his Dangerous World Tour at the Azteca, performing to a total of 550,000 people.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 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

AI stocks are likely to continue dominating the spotlight as investors brace for a wave of blockbuster initial public offerings, headlined by Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX and AI giant Anthropic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026

But my jaw really dropped when I read a July 19,2004, article from the International Herald Tribune headlined: “Want Fries With Outsourcing?”

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman

That makes Debbie and Judith relatable and extraordinary figures, in that they are 50-something women, played by 50-something women headlining a high-velocity espionage thriller, linked to developments each is entitled to be angry about.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026

After a stint on the Warped Tour, Jimmy Eat World set out on a U.S. headlining tour in the fall, with Hey Mercedes opening.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

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

She spoke to BBC Newsbeat ahead of PinkPantheress headlining Alexandra Palace on Friday night.

From BBC ● May 29, 2026

“I know! You’re headlining at major concert venues all over the world. I completely get that. I’m gonna start in New York and work my way around the globe,” I say.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Related Words

• caption
• title