1
: words set at the head of a passage or page to introduce or categorize
2
a
: a head of a newspaper story or article usually printed in large type and giving the gist of the story or article that follows
b
headlines plural
: front-page news
the scandal made headlines
headlined; headlining; headlines
1
: to provide with a headline
2
: to publicize highly
3
: to be engaged as a leading performer in (a show)
: deserving mention in a headline : very noteworthy
the headline abduction of a diplomat
Examples of headline in a Sentence
Noun
The story of his arrest appeared beneath the headline “Caught!”.
She only had time to scan the headlines before she had to rush out the door.
Surprising developments have kept the murder investigation in the headlines for several weeks.
She has grabbed the headlines by making public accusations of corruption within the government.
Verb
The band is headlining the music festival.
Recent Examples on the Web
James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Still, both the headline CPI and core CPI would continue to be above the Fed’s 2% target.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Valor Christian’s size and talent at the skill positions, headlined by do-everything Cash Spence, was too much to handle for Regis Jesuit.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
WSJ, 29 Nov. 2023
At the time this tour was limited to club venues and state theaters, but now some 9 years later both bands are slated to co-headline LA’s KIA Forum this spring.
—Quentin Singer, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for headline
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Noun
Premier League spending makes immediate headlines and generates the eyeballs key to growth, but the effect on the wider game will take longer to play out.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Still, both the headline CPI and core CPI would continue to be above the Fed’s 2% target.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
This event is headlined by a light heavyweight matchup between Carlos Ulberg and former title challenger Dominick Reyes.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Valor Christian’s size and talent at the skill positions, headlined by do-everything Cash Spence, was too much to handle for Regis Jesuit.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The preliminary estimate for headline German inflation, due for release at 1300 GMT, is expected to fall to 3.5% in November from 3.8% in October, measured according to national standards.
—WSJ, 29 Nov. 2023
At the time this tour was limited to club venues and state theaters, but now some 9 years later both bands are slated to co-headline LA’s KIA Forum this spring.
—Quentin Singer, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for headline
Cite this Entry
“Headline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headline. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
headline
1 of 2 noun
head·line
-ˌlīn 
1
: a line at the top of a page (as in a book) giving a heading
2
: the title over an item or article in a newspaper
headline
2 of 2 verb1
: to provide with a headline
2
: to publicize highly
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