1
: a prefixed note of comment or explanation
2
: a note prefixed to the report of a decided legal case
Examples of headnote in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The headnote speaks to Rajasthan’s culinary character.
—
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2023
Brassica stems and the ends of green beans may not be great fits for broth, flavor-wise, but plenty of other veggies work; read the headnote of this recipe for a good starting list.
—Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2022
Kamman attaches no expository headnote to this preparation, no illuminating anecdote that explains the tart’s significance to readers.
—Mayukh Sen, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2021
Recipe headnotes offer a snapshot of the women behind the book.
—Sarah Henry, Washington Post, 27 June 2019
The headnotes all contain multiple shortcuts and ingredient substitutions, and yet the recipes have a real sense of place.
—SFChronicle.com, 21 June 2019
Ingredients Ice 1 1/2 ounces white Pineau des Charentes (see headnote)
1 ounce tonic water
Twist of grapefruit peel, for garnish
1 sprig fresh thyme, for garnish
Steps
Fill a wine glass with ice.
—Sonia Rao, chicagotribune.com, 29 June 2018
One large bunch turnips with greens attached (about 4 turnips; see headnote)
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
Separate the turnips from their greens. Rinse the greens well, then coarsely chop them.
—Julia Turshen, sacbee, 20 Feb. 2018
Drain; once the spinach is cool enough to handle, use your hands to squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Really squeeze (see the headnote).
—Domenica Marchetti, chicagotribune.com, 26 Dec. 2017
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2023
Brassica stems and the ends of green beans may not be great fits for broth, flavor-wise, but plenty of other veggies work; read the headnote of this recipe for a good starting list.
—Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2022
Kamman attaches no expository headnote to this preparation, no illuminating anecdote that explains the tart’s significance to readers.
—Mayukh Sen, The New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2021
Recipe headnotes offer a snapshot of the women behind the book.
—Sarah Henry, Washington Post, 27 June 2019
The headnotes all contain multiple shortcuts and ingredient substitutions, and yet the recipes have a real sense of place.
—SFChronicle.com, 21 June 2019
Ingredients Ice 1 1/2 ounces white Pineau des Charentes (see headnote)
1 ounce tonic water
Twist of grapefruit peel, for garnish
1 sprig fresh thyme, for garnish
Steps
Fill a wine glass with ice.
—Sonia Rao, chicagotribune.com, 29 June 2018
One large bunch turnips with greens attached (about 4 turnips; see headnote)
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
Separate the turnips from their greens. Rinse the greens well, then coarsely chop them.
—Julia Turshen, sacbee, 20 Feb. 2018
Drain; once the spinach is cool enough to handle, use your hands to squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Really squeeze (see the headnote).
—Domenica Marchetti, chicagotribune.com, 26 Dec. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'headnote.' 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
1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near headnote
Cite this Entry
“Headnote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headnote. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Legal Definition
headnote
noun
head·note
ˈhed-ˌnōt 
: a summary prefixed to the report of a decided legal case stating the principles or rulings of the decision and usually the main facts of the case
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