title

American  

[tahyt-l] / ˈtaɪt l /

noun

1. the distinguishing name of a book, poem, picture, piece of music, or the like.

2. a descriptive heading or caption, as of a chapter, section, or other part of a book.

3. title page.

4. a descriptive or distinctive appellation, especially one belonging to a person by right of rank, office, attainment, etc..

   the title of Lord Mayor.

   Synonyms:

   denomination, designation

5. Sports. the championship.

   He won the title three years in a row.

6. an established or recognized right to something.

7. a ground or basis for a claim.

8. anything that provides a ground or basis for a claim.

9. Law.

   1. legal right to the possession of property, especially real property.

   2. the ground or evidence of such right.

   3. the instrument constituting evidence of such right.

   4. a unity combining all of the requisites to complete legal ownership.

   5. a division of a statute, lawbook, etc., especially one larger than an article or section.

   6. (in pleading) the designation of one's basis for judicial relief; the cause of action sued upon, as a contract or tort.

10. Ecclesiastical.

    1. a fixed sphere of work and source of income, required as a condition of ordination.

    2. any of certain Roman Catholic churches in Rome, the nominal incumbents of which are cardinals.

11. Movies, Television. Usually titles.

    1. a subtitle in the viewer's own language.

       an Italian movie with English titles.

    2. any written matter inserted into the film or program, especially the list of actors, technicians, writers, etc., contributing to it; credits.

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adjective

1. of or relating to a title.

   the title story in a collection.

2. that decides a title.

   a title bout.

verb (used with object)

titled, titling

1. to furnish with a title; designate by an appellation; entitle.

   Synonyms:

   style, call, term, denominate

title British  

/ ˈtaɪtəl /

noun

1. the distinctive name of a work of art, musical or literary composition, etc

2. a descriptive name, caption, or heading of a section of a book, speech, etc

3. See title page

4. a name or epithet signifying rank, office, or function

5. a formal designation, such as Mr, Mrs, or Miss

6. an appellation designating nobility

7. films

   1. short for subtitle

   2. written material giving credits in a film or television programme

8. sport a championship

9. property law

   1. the legal right to possession of property, esp real property

   2. the basis of such right

   3. the documentary evidence of such right

      title deeds

10. law

    1. the heading or a division of a statute, book of law, etc

    2. the heading of a suit or action at law

11. 1. any customary or established right

    2. a claim based on such a right

12. a definite spiritual charge or office in the church, without appointment to which a candidate for holy orders cannot lawfully be ordained

13. RC Church a titular church

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verb

1. (tr) to give a title to

Usage

What is a title? A title is the distinct name of a creative work, as in The title of the movie was King Kong.A title is also a formal descriptive term given to a person, as in The diplomat made sure to address the duchess using her proper title.A title is also a championship in sports, The team won the title last year and they came into the season ready to defend it.Almost all books, movies, pieces of art, video games, and all other creative works have titles. Their title is the name they are referred to. For example, Of Mice and Men is the title of a book by John Steinbeck. Further divisions of a work, such as chapters of a book or episodes of a TV show, may also have their own titles. Something that doesn’t have a title but is expected to is said to be untitled.Title can be used in this sense as an adjective, like a title story. When used as a verb, it means to give a title to someone or something, as in The songwriter titled his newest work “Sonata 23.”The word title is also a formal term given to a person based on their rank, authority, achievements, or other qualifying reason. A title usually precedes a person’s name and, if so, is capitalized, as with Doctor, Professor, Sergeant, President, and Prime Minister.Finally, a title is also a championship in sports. When used as an adjective in this sense it describes something that decides who gets the title, like a title game.Example: The title of my favorite movie is The Godfather.

Related Words

See name.

Other Word Forms

• mistitle verb (used with object)
• nontitle adjective
• retitle verb (used with object)
• undertitle noun

Etymology

Origin of title

First recorded before 950; Middle English, variant of titel, Old English titul, from Latin titulus “superscription, title”

Example Sentences

Two streaming titles, both in the action/fantasy genre, recently pulled back the curtain for The Envelope, detailing their sophomore marketing strategies.

From Los Angeles Times

"I'm getting killed by a pretty good life," he sings as the title track closes.

From BBC

The tournament gets under way at Melbourne Park on January 18, with Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys defending their titles.

From Barron's

The study, titled "Primate gut microbiota induce evolutionarily salient changes in mouse neurodevelopment," was published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

From Science Daily

In the Archives’ newly reopened museum, a permanent exhibit titled “The American Story” uses cutting-edge technology to present an immersive story of hope and achievement, timed for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• championship
• crown
• medal
• power