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
2a : the seat of the intellect : mind two heads are better than oneb : a person with respect to mental qualities let wiser heads prevailc : natural aptitude or talent a good head for figuresd : mental or emotional control : poise a level heade : headache
3 : the obverse (see 2obverse 1) of a coin —usually used in plural call heads or tails
4a : person, individual count headsb plural head : one of a number (as of domestic animals) sold twenty head of cattle
5a : the end that is upper or higher or opposite the foot the head of the table head of a sailb : the source of a stream or river the head of the Nilec : either end of something (such as a drum) whose two ends need not be distinguished
6 : director, leader: such asa : headmasterb : 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
7a : capitulum 2b : 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
8a : the leading element of a military column or a processionb : headway often she had to fight for her head as the press of sail buried her bow — C. V. Reilly
by the head
off one's head
out of one's head
over one's head
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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
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There's always one shot that leaves a golfer shaking his or her head.
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Delimitros said one of the truck’s side view mirrors struck her in the head, causing minor injuries.
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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.
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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.
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Turning this on its head, the susceptibility of Bose–
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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.
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The Senate bill would also require the head of Air Force Space Command to serve for six years, rather than two or four years.
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Facing a potential recall, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has a huge head start on anyone who wants to run for his job.
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
Other Anatomy Terms
head
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
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
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Whisenant is now the head coach of the LCHS Spartan baseball team.
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His 632 yards gained during his rookie season were auspicious, but midway through the following season, he was cut by head coach Dick Vermeil, who says in Running for His Life that Phillips had developed a drinking problem.
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Seven were head coaches elsewhere, including five whose teams had played in the tournament the weekend before.
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
see 1head
Other Anatomy Terms
head
Definition of head
transitive verb
1 : behead
2a : to put the striking part of a weapon, tool, or implement on : fit a head (see 1head 9b) to head an arrowb : 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
4a : to get in front of so as to hinder, stop, or turn back head a herd of cattleb : to take a lead over (as in a race) : surpassc : to pass (a stream) by going round above the source
5a : 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.
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
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Condé Nast Traveler is still encouraging visitors to head across the Shivering Sea to explore Westeros and Essos (granted, all should be wary of rogue spears, poison, beheadings, and weddings).
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Baltimore National Pike traffic headed west was closed at Bethany Lane for approximately two hours Monday, and eastbound traffic was diverted to Frederick Road during that time.
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After the village fireworks display ended in Round Lake Beach on Tuesday, there was the usual traffic backup as people headed home.
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The late Kay Harrison, who headed the Fourth of July Committee for years and died of cancer in May, was represented by granddaughters Samantha Louderback and Amanda Varron, who rode in the parade as the grand marshals.
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Its fate remains uncertain as senators head back to their districts for a weeklong recess.
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Heading into Iowa the next weekend, Sato was fourth in the championship.
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The Glendale resident also has a scholarship awaiting him at prestigious University of California at Berkeley and will be headed there in August.
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
see 1head
HEAD Defined for English Language Learners
head
playDefinition of head for English Language Learners
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: the part of the body containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth
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: a person's mental ability : mind or intellect
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: a person who has a specified mental or emotional quality
head
Definition of head for English Language Learners
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: to be the leader of (something)
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: to be first on (a list)
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: to go in a specified direction or toward a specified place
HEAD Defined for Kids
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
over someone's head
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
playMedical 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: asa: the rounded proximal end of a long bone (as the humerus)b: the end of a muscle nearest the originc: 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
head
adjectiveLaw Dictionary
head
Legal Definition of head
: any of a number of individuals
by heads
: per capita —used in the rules of intestate succession in Louisiana
Learn More about head
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See words that rhyme with head Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for head Spanish Central: Translation of head Nglish: Translation of head for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of head for Arabic speakers
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