bighead

noun

big·​head ˈbig-ˌhed How to pronounce bighead (audio)
1
: any of several diseases of animals marked by swelling about the head
2
: an exaggerated opinion of one's importance
usually used with the
bigheaded adjective

Examples of bighead in a Sentence

the kind of early success that can give a young performer the bighead
Recent Examples on the Web Bighead carp can grow to 100 pounds and the invaders are voracious eaters — adult bigheads and silvers can consume up to 40% of their body weight in a single day. John Myers, Twin Cities, 20 Jan. 2024 Boaters and anglers are encouraged to report sightings or harvest of bighead and silver carp to WFF’s Fisheries Section by phone at 256-353-2634 or by email at asiancarp@dcnr.alabama.gov. Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023 Signs are being installed at public boat ramps along the Tennessee River in north Alabama to help boaters and anglers identify the fish - bighead and silver carp – if they are seen or harvested from the river. Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023 There are four species of invasive carp that have been introduced in the U.S – bighead, silver, grass and black carp, with the first three known to exist in Alabama waters. Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023 Black, bighead, grass and silver carp occupy numerous lakes, rivers and streams. Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2023 The other three are the sliver, bighead and black carp. Peter Krouse, cleveland, 7 Oct. 2022 But by then the bighead and the silvers were out of control. Jeff Wheelwright, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2012 Subsequent netting and electroshocking in both areas failed to turn up a silver or bighead carp, dead or alive. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bighead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bighead was in 1784

Dictionary Entries Near bighead

Cite this Entry

“Bighead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bighead. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

bighead

noun
big·​head ˈbig-ˌhed How to pronounce bighead (audio)
: any of several diseases of animals: as
a
: equine osteoporosis
b
: an acute photosensitization of sheep and goats that follows the ingestion of various plants compare fagopyrism
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!