1
: pain in the head
2
: a vexatious or baffling situation or problem
… meetings had become a giant headache.—
Franklin Foer
Franklin FoerExamples of headache in a Sentence
I'm starting to get a headache.
The symptoms include fever and headache.
The city's biggest headache is traffic.
Managing your finances can be a real headache.
Recent Examples on the Web
Doctors and medical practices who wanted to avoid the hassle and headaches of dealing with insurers, or who wanted to be able to treat uninsured patients, were sometimes open to unorthodox payment methods.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, vomiting and fever come on suddenly, and may be mistaken for other minor illnesses.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026
From plane seatback organizers to carry-on cup holders, these accessories can save you from boarding delays and other headaches—starting at $9.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
However, Reece said that his mother began to complain of a headache and dizziness, prompting her to sit down and rest later in the day.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headache
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Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, vomiting and fever come on suddenly, and may be mistaken for other minor illnesses.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026
From plane seatback organizers to carry-on cup holders, these accessories can save you from boarding delays and other headaches—starting at $9.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
However, Reece said that his mother began to complain of a headache and dizziness, prompting her to sit down and rest later in the day.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headache
Video
An Abbreviated History of American English Spelling
Soop, wimmen, and headake did not make the cut
Cite this Entry
“Headache.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headache. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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