headline

1 of 3

noun

head·​line ˈhed-ˌlīn 

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

headline

2 of 3

verb

headlined; headlining; headlines

transitive verb

1

: to provide with a headline

2

: to publicize highly

3

: to be engaged as a leading performer in (a show)

headline

3 of 3

adjective

: deserving mention in a headline : very noteworthy

the headline abduction of a diplomat

Synonyms

Noun

• caption
• head
• header
• heading
• rubric
• title

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

Noun

Wall Street will be focused on headline numbers like revenue and earnings per share, as well as any surprises, like Meta’s $50 billion dividend last quarter. —Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2024

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. —TIME, 23 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1906, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing headline

• headline inflation

Kids 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 verb

1

: to provide with a headline

2

: to publicize highly