headship

American  

[hed-ship] / ˈhɛd ʃɪp /

noun

1. the position of head or chief; chief authority; leadership; supremacy.

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headship British  

/ ˈhɛdʃɪp /

noun

1. the position or state of being a leader; command; leadership

2. education the position of headmaster or headmistress of a school

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Etymology

Origin of headship

First recorded in 1575–85; head + -ship

Example Sentences

It was not immediately clear whether Lam had succeeded in his goal of securing the national presidency -- seen as the second most powerful position in Vietnamese politics -- as well as the party headship.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

Royal historian Ed Owens said the 73-year-old heir to the British throne may find that “on taking over the headship of the Commonwealth, he finds himself in charge of a rapidly disintegrating organization.”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 22, 2022

Now Beth Moore, arguably the evangelical world’s most famous Bible teacher, has begged forgiveness for supporting the theology of male headship rooted in many evangelical cultures.

From Washington Post • Apr. 7, 2021

Principle Jo Shuter, of Quintin Kynaston Community Academy, in London, said: "My 11 years of headship have been a source of pride and happiness."

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2013

During the life-time of Sun there was no question of an elective headship for the Party.

From The Political Doctrines of Sun Yat-sen: An Exposition of the San Min Chu I by Linebarger, Paul Myron Anthony