headache

noun

head·​ache ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio)
1
: pain in the head
2
: a vexatious or baffling situation or problem
meetings had become a giant headacheFranklin Foer
headachy adjective
or less commonly headachey

Examples 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Baptiste also advises concerned parents visit their child’s pediatrician to discuss potential testing, but that Tylenol remains the best medical option to treat fevers and headache. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025 Key Takeaways Take less than 1 milligram of melatonin to avoid side effects like headaches and confusion. Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2025 The sticky, toxic by-product of renewable energy production has haunted the industry for decades, causing headaches for engineers and researchers alike. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025 Amidst the barrage of substitute teachers in Room 7, Buford’s daughter has missed school a couple of times and was out Thursday with a headache. Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for headache

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of headache was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Headache.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headache. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

headache

noun
head·​ache ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio)
1
: pain in the head
2
: an annoying or baffling situation or problem
headachy adjective

Medical Definition

headache

noun
head·​ache ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio)
: pain in the head

called also cephalalgia

headachy adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on headache

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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