head

noun \ ˈhed \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: head in a Sentence

Definition of head

1 : the upper or anterior division of the animal body that contains the brain, the chief sense organs, and the mouth

nodded his head in agreement

2 a : the seat of the intellect : mind

two heads are better than one

b : a person with respect to mental qualities

let wiser heads prevail

c : natural aptitude or talent

a good head for figures

d : mental or emotional control : poise

a level head

e : headache

3 : the obverse (see ²obverse 1) of a coin —usually used in plural

call heads or tails

4 a : person, individual

count heads

b plural head : one of a number (as of domestic animals)

sold twenty head of cattle

5 a : the end that is upper or higher or opposite the foot

the head of the table

head of a sail

b : the source of a stream or river

the head of the Nile

c : either end of something (such as a drum) whose two ends need not be distinguished

6 : director, leader: such as

a : headmaster

b : one in charge of a division or department in an office or institution

the head of the English department

met with the other department heads

7 a : capitulum 2

b : the foliaged part of a plant especially when consisting of a compact mass of leaves, flowers, or fruit

a head of lettuce

a single head of grain

8 a : the leading element of a military column or a procession

b : headway

often she had to fight for her head as the press of sail buried her bow
—C. V. Reilly

9 a : the uppermost extremity or projecting part of an object : top

the head of a bolt

b : the striking part of a weapon, tool, or implement

the head of an ax

c : the rounded proximal end of a long bone (such as the humerus)

d : the end of a muscle nearest the origin

e : the oval part of a printed musical note

10 a : a body of water kept in reserve at a height; also : the containing bank, dam, or wall

b : a mass of water in motion (as in a rip current)

11 a : the difference in elevation between two points in a body of fluid

b : the resulting pressure of the fluid at the lower point expressible as this height; broadly : pressure of a fluid

an engine with a full head of steam

12 a : the bow and adjacent parts of a ship

b : a ship's toilet; broadly : toilet 1

13 : the approximate length of the head of a horse

won by a head

14 : the place of leadership, honor, or command

at the head of her class

15 a (1) : a word or series of words often in larger letters placed at the beginning of a passage or at the top of a page in order to introduce or categorize

(2) : a separate part or topic

heads of a sermon

b : a portion of a page or sheet that is above the first line of printing

16 : the foam or scum that rises on a fermenting or effervescing liquid (such as beer)

17 a : the part of a boil, pimple, or abscess at which it is likely to break

b : culminating point of action : crisis

events came to a head

18 a : a part or attachment of a machine or machine tool containing a device (such as a cutter or drill)

turret head of a lathe

; also : the part of an apparatus that performs the chief function or a particular function

a drill head

b magnetic recording : an electromagnet used as a transducer for recording on, reading, or erasing a magnetic medium (such as tape or a disk)

19 grammar : an immediate constituent of a construction that can have the same grammatical function as the whole (such as man in "an old man," "a very old man," or "the man in the street")

20 a : one who uses a drug —often used in combination

pothead

b : a devoted enthusiast : aficionado —often used in combination

computerhead

21 usually vulgar : fellatio, cunnilingus —usually used with give

— by the head

: drawing the greater depth of water forward

— off one's head

: crazy, distracted

— out of one's head

: delirious

Her parents were out of their heads with worry.

— over one's head

1 : beyond one's comprehension or competence

the most awful intellectual detail, all of it over my head
—E. B. White

2 : so as to pass over one's superior standing or authority

went over my head to complain

See head defined for English-language learners

See head defined for kids

Examples of head in a Sentence

She patted the dog on the head.
He nodded his head in agreement.
The ceiling's low—watch your head!

Recent Examples of head from the Web

There's always one shot that leaves a golfer shaking his or her head.

— mike hutton, Post-Tribune, "Crown Point's Yianni Kostouros keeps momentum going in Northern Amateur," 19 July 2017
Delimitros said one of the truck’s side view mirrors struck her in the head, causing minor injuries.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Police: Pickup driver deliberately hits traffic controller near Convention Center," 19 July 2017
Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.

— j. harry jones, Ramona Sentinel, "Groups brainstorm solutions to Mt. Woodson parking," 19 July 2017
Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.

— john roach, NOLA.com, "LSU's Ed Orgeron answers on ESPN: 'What is the biggest change you've brought?'," 19 July 2017
Turning this on its head, the susceptibility of Bose–

— thilo stöferle, Ars Technica, "The science of Spectral: Is that really how Bose–Einstein condensate behaves?," 18 July 2017
Head over to PCWorld’s comprehensive Windows 10 Creators Update review for the full rundown and extensive hands-on impressions, or our round-up of the Creators Update’s best new features.

— brad chacos, PCWorld, "Windows 10 Creators Update FAQ: Everything you need to know," 17 July 2017
The Senate bill would also require the head of Air Force Space Command to serve for six years, rather than two or four years.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Space Corps Military Branch Approved by House," 15 July 2017
Facing a potential recall, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has a huge head start on anyone who wants to run for his job.

— bill glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett raised $123,000 in first six months of the year," 14 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'head.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of head

Middle English hed, from Old English hēafod; akin to Old High German houbit head, Latin caput

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

head Synonyms

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

head

adjective

Definition of head

1 : of, relating to, or intended for the upper or anterior division of the animal body that contains the brain, the chief sense organs, and the mouth : of, relating to, or intended for the head (see ¹head 1)

head injuries

2 : principal, chief

head cook

3 : located at the end that is upper or higher : situated at the head (see ¹head 5a)

head sails

4 : coming from in front

head sea

Examples of head in a Sentence

as head editor at the TV station for 17 years, he has hired and fired innumerable staff members

Recent Examples of head from the Web

From Cyrus: Is it too far-fetched to believe Lane Kiffin returns to Boca for a third year to remain the head coach of Florida Atlantic?

— andy staples, SI.com, "Why Florida's Successful Chris Leak/Tim Tebow QB Model Probably Isn't Right for Alabama This Year," 12 July 2018
The previous director, former UC player Doug Rosfeld, left in December to become head coach at his prep alma mater Moeller High School.

— tom groeschen, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Bearcats: Former St. Xavier, NFL player Greg Scruggs joins UC football staff," 10 July 2018
Gordon was head coach at Phoenix College the past 14 years.

— richard obert, azcentral, "Duane Eason to leave Mountain Pointe to take Phoenix College men's basketball job," 3 July 2018
Hughes was a volunteer assistant at Georgia last season, but was 128-107-1 in four seasons prior to that as head coach at Oklahoma, taking the Sooners to the NCAA Tournament in 2017.

— john maffei, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Palomar coach Buck Taylor joining staff at Kansas State," 2 July 2018
Spurs assistant coach Will Hardy is the team’s head coach.

— tom orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, "Spurs rookies Walker, Metu in spotlight Friday," 28 June 2018
After completing his 14th season as head coach of the Oilers, Forsberg is closing in on 200 career wins.

— andrew turner, latimes.com, "Daily Pilot Softball Dream Team: Unexpected year from Kelli Kufta kept Huntington Beach strong," 8 July 2018
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is now the head coach in Chicago, and, other than Mitch Trubisky, Cohen stands to gain the most from the change.

— michael beller, SI.com, "Fantasy Football 2018 Breakouts: Can Patrick Mahomes Make the Leap?," 3 July 2018
Eason was an assistant coach under Matt Gordon at Phoenix College, before Eason became head coach last year at Mountain Pointe.

— richard obert, azcentral, "Duane Eason to leave Mountain Pointe to take Phoenix College men's basketball job," 3 July 2018

Origin and Etymology of head

see ¹head

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

head Synonyms

Synonyms

chief, commanding, first, foremost, high, lead, leading, preeminent, premier, presiding, primary, prime, principal, supreme, top;

Near Antonyms

ancillary, inferior, last, less, lesser, lower, lowly, second, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary;

assistant, assisting, coadjutor, deputy, junior, under;

Related Words

high-level, senior;

controlling, directing, managing, officiating, overseeing, regnant, reigning, ruling, supervisory;

main, major, paramount, predominant, predominate, sovereign (also sovran);

ascendant (also ascendent), dominant, grand, superior, topmost, upmost, upper, uppermost;

Phrases

in charge;

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

head

verb

Definition of head

headed; heading; heads

transitive verb

1 : behead

2 a : to put the striking part of a weapon, tool, or implement on : fit a head (see ¹head 9b) to

head an arrow

b : to form the uppermost extremity or projecting part of : to form the head or top of

tower headed by a spire

3 : to act as leader or director of : to act as head (see ¹head 6) to

head a revolt

4 a : to get in front of so as to hinder, stop, or turn back

head a herd of cattle

b : to take a lead over (as in a race) : surpass

c : to pass (a stream) by going round above the source

5 a : to place something at the beginning or top of (something) in order to introduce or categorize : to put something at the head of (something, as a list)

Each page was headed with the writer's name.

b : to stand as the first or leading member of

heads the list of heroes

6 : to set the course of

head a ship northward

7 : to hit and propel (something, such as a soccer ball) with the head (see ¹head 1)

headed the ball into the goal

intransitive verb

1 : to form a compact mass of leaves or fruit : to form a head (see ¹head 7b)

This type of cabbage heads early.

2 : to point or proceed in a certain direction

headed south

3 : to have a source : originate

The river heads in those mountains.

See head defined for English-language learners

Examples of head in a Sentence

The group was headed by the church pastor.
He was accused of heading the revolt.
I hopped in the car and headed down the street.
After lunch, we headed back to the office.
She headed out early this morning.
The birds have already started heading south for the winter.
The forward headed the ball into the goal.

Recent Examples of head from the Web

Where there was uncertainty headed into this season's contest, things could be a lot more concrete this time next year.

— adam baum, Cincinnati.com, "Princeton, Little Miami grads team up and take men's Met doubles championship," 13 July 2018
Ronaldo appeared to be nailed on for the crown again this year, heading into the World Cup on the back of helping Real Madrid to its fourth Champions League title in five years and performing as dominantly as ever at 33.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "After World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi may lose best player tags," 13 July 2018
And the subject is proving to be a top issue on the minds of voters heading into the midterms.

— NBC News, "Progressive group launches ad campaign urging Democrats to oppose Kavanaugh," 13 July 2018
The campaigns for and against the Invest In Education ballot effort appear to be in for a nasty four months of battle heading into the Nov. 6 election.

— ricardo cano, azcentral, "Name-calling begins in battle over #InvestInEd ballot measure," 12 July 2018
One of the strengths of Deerfield Beach heading into states is a quality pitching rotation that goes six deep: Keanu Siracusa, Buerosse, Lorenzo Feliciano, Calvet, Gio Caffro and Thomas.

— emmett hall, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deerfield Beach Little League Junior Division All-Stars ready for trip to Florida's capital," 12 July 2018
Victim Now Working as Massage Therapist in Canada Constand has also kept a low public profile heading into the sentencing.

— jeff truesdell, PEOPLE.com, "Bill Cosby Turns 81 Today — as Possible 30-Year Sentence Looms After Sex Assault Conviction," 12 July 2018
The most competitive category heading into the announcement, in my estimation, was best variety talk series, which pits all of late night's hosts — of which there is now an unprecedented number — against one another.

— scott feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "Emmys: Netflix and HBO Set to Compete on Equal Footing," 12 July 2018
Underdog to watch Carolina Panthers cornerback Kevon Seymour has speed and a year in the system as advantages heading into training camp.

— jourdan rodrigue, charlotteobserver, "Most exciting position battle at Panthers' 2018 training camp fueled by competition," 11 July 2018

Origin and Etymology of head

see ¹head

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

head Synonyms

Synonyms

bear, make;

Related Words

aim, bend, direct, point, turn;

beeline, light out, put, put out, set off, set out, strike, take off;

face, orient, steer;

about-face, back, come about, come round, cut, incline, put about, reverse, swerve, tack, turn back, veer, wheel, yaw;

HEAD Defined for English Language Learners

head

noun

Definition of head for English Language Learners

: the part of the body containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth
: a person's mental ability : mind or intellect
: a person who has a specified mental or emotional quality

head

verb

Definition of head for English Language Learners

: to be the leader of (something)
: to be first on (a list)
: to go in a specified direction or toward a specified place

HEAD Defined for Kids

head

noun \ ˈhed \

Definition of head for Students

1 : the part of the body containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth

2 : ¹mind 1

Mom has a good head for figures.

3 : control of the mind or feelings

He kept his head during the emergency.

4 : the side of a coin or medal usually thought of as the front

5 : director 1, leader She's the head of the school department.

6 : each person among a number

Count heads to make sure everyone is here.

7 plural head : a unit of number

They own 100 head of cattle.

8 : something like a head in position or use

the head of a bed

9 : the place where a stream begins

10 : a tight mass of plant parts (as leaves or flowers)

a head of cabbage

11 : a part of a machine, tool, or weapon that performs the main work

head of a spear

shower head

12 : a place of leadership or honor

He is at the head of his class.

13 : climax, crisis

Events came to a head.

— over someone's head

: beyond someone's understanding Their discussion was way over my head.

head

adjective

Definition of head for Students

1 : ²chief 1

He's the head coach.

2 : located at the front

We sat at the head table.

3 : coming from in front

We sailed into a head wind.

head

verb

Definition of head for Students

headed; heading

1 : to be the leader of

She headed the investigation.

2 : to go or cause to go in a certain direction

Let's head for home.

3 : to be first or get in front of

He heads the list of candidates.

4 : to provide with or form a head

This cabbage heads early.

Medical Dictionary

head

noun \ ˈhed \

medical Definition of head

1 : the division of the human body that contains the brain, the eyes, the ears, the nose, and the mouth; also : the corresponding anterior division of the body of various animals including all vertebrates, most arthropods, and many mollusks and worms

2 : headache

3 : a projection or extremity especially of an anatomical part: as

a : the rounded proximal end of a long bone (as the humerus)

b : the end of a muscle nearest the origin

c : the anterior end of an invertebrate : scolex

4 : the part of a boil, pimple, or abscess at which it is likely to break

5 : the end of a lipid molecule that consists of a polar group and is regarded as being opposite to the tail

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