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Phillips head

American  

noun

  1. a screw head having two partial slots crossed at right angles, driven by a special screwdriver Phillips screwdriver.

Other Word Forms

  • Phillips-head adjective

Etymology

Origin of Phillips head

First recorded in 1930–35; after trademark Phillips Screws

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.

Don Phillips, head waterfowl warden, said it was not the first time nests had been lost.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

Adam Phillips, head of investments at EP Wealth, said his firm’s investment committee has been discussing allocating more money to foreign stocks.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

“Both Democrats and Republicans don’t think they have anything in common,” said Ashley Phillips, head of programs at Builders’ Citizens Solutions.

From Seattle Times • May 14, 2024

“Also, what screws should it use — flat head, Phillips head or hex nut?”

From New York Times • Sep. 15, 2022

The RX 6800’s backplate, with exposed Phillips head screws.

From The Verge • Nov. 18, 2020

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.