header

noun

head·​er ˈhe-dər 

1

: one that removes heads

especially : a grain-harvesting machine that cuts off the grain heads and elevates them to a wagon

2

a

: a brick or stone laid in a wall with its end toward the face of the wall

b

: a beam fitted at one side of an opening to support free ends of floor joists, studs, or rafters

c

: a horizontal structural or finish piece over an opening : lintel

d

: a conduit (such as an exhaust pipe for a many-cylindered engine) into which a number of smaller conduits open

e

: a mounting plate through which electrical terminals pass from a sealed device (such as a transistor)

3

informal : a fall or dive headfirst

took a header into the pool

4

: a shot or pass in soccer made by heading the ball

5

a

: head sense 15a(1)

b

: information (such as a page number) printed or placed at the top of each page of a document compare footer sense 2

Synonyms of header

• title
• caption
• heading
• headline

Examples of header in a Sentence

She tripped on the rock and took a header.

He scored with a header past the goalie.

Recent Examples on the Web

Segovia scooped a lofted pass into the penalty area for Messi, who reached it between two defenders but wasn’t in position to send a header goalbound. — Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026

Defender Oihane made a crucial goal-line clearance on Nerilia Mondésir’s header in the 17th minute, while Cosette Morché made a key save from close range on Jess Fishlock’s shot in the 43rd minute to keep the match scoreless heading into halftime. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026

Originally, there was supposed to be a Saturday double header of shows with one in the afternoon and the other in the evening. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026

Roberts went up high for a header, off a corner kick played in by Werner, that deflected off the crossbar into the net to open the scoring in the 15th minute. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing header

• triple-header

Rhymes for header

• cheddar
• redder
• shredder
• spreader

Kids Definition

header

noun

head·​er ˈhed-ər 

: a fall or dive headfirst

took a header downstairs