headache

head·ache | \ ˈhed-ˌāk

How to pronounce headache (audio)

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Definition of headache

1 : pain in the head

2 : a vexatious or baffling situation or problem meetings had become a giant headache— Franklin Foer

Other Words from headache Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about headache

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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 James Harden used to be a headache for Houston Rockets opponents. — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, "Opinion: James Harden is trying to be a disruptor, and it's working. His antics could poison Rockets.," 24 Dec. 2020 To the extent DeWine could be in trouble in the 2022 primary, small business owners frustrated by his handling of the coronavirus could be a bigger headache for him than Trump. — David M. Drucker, Washington Examiner, "GOP governors ready for Trump attacks in 2022," 18 Dec. 2020 Communicating can be a headache, but some bad communicators bring the headaches on themselves, and not just in the NBA. — Mike Finger, ExpressNews.com, "Finger: Instead of inventing enemy, Spurs face the truth," 12 Dec. 2020 The casino has been a major headache for anti-drug authorities outside of Laos. — Joshua Berlinger, CNN, "Is an alleged drug kingpin from China investing millions in a port in Laos?," 7 Dec. 2020 And for the City of London, a large hub for international banks, asset managers, insurance firms and hedge funds, Brexit is a political headache. — Eshe Nelson, New York Times, "Brexit Is Nipping at London’s Role as a Financial Powerhouse," 27 Nov. 2020 Chasing down all the DLC for the first two games, which launched before the advent of EA's Origin platform as a one-stop shop, can be another headache in and of itself. — Kate Cox, Ars Technica, "BioWare confirms Mass Effect remaster in 2021, new Mass Effect later," 7 Nov. 2020 Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney are going to be a headache. — Christopher Smith, al, "Florida vs. Georgia betting line, picks, odds and predictions," 6 Nov. 2020 Hacking has been the latest headache for Robinhood, which was founded seven years ago by Baiju Bhatt and Vlad Tenev and has exploded in popularity this year as Americans stuck at home look to make some money during the pandemic. — Sophie Alexander, Bloomberg.com, "Dark Web Hackers Say They Hold Keys to 10,000 Robinhood Accounts," 30 Oct. 2020

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

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Last Updated

16 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Headache.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headache. Accessed 25 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for headache

headache

noun

English Language Learners Definition of headache

: an ache or pain in the head

: a difficult or annoying situation or problem

See the full definition for headache in the English Language Learners Dictionary

headache

head·ache | \ ˈhed-ˌāk

\

Kids Definition of headache

1 : pain in the head

2 : something that annoys or confuses This traffic is a real headache.

headache

head·ache | \ ˈhed-ˌāk

\

Medical Definition of headache

: pain in the head

— called also cephalalgia

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