1
: pain in the head
2
: a vexatious or baffling situation or problem
… meetings had become a giant headache.—
Franklin Foer
Franklin FoerExamples 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
That’s when the real headache for businesses began, as customs checks, border controls and reams of paperwork came into force.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
When security turns them away at the gate, some fans are stashing their bags nearby — apparently planning to grab them later — and that’s creating a real headache for law enforcement, according to The Star.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026
Clearly, these aren’t just California headaches.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 21 June 2026
Experiencing symptoms of a fever, fatigue, headache, rash and loss of consciousness, the person was hospitalized for over two weeks, when officials determined the patient was suffering from an infection borne by the Rickettsia lanei pathogen.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for headache
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.
Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
When security turns them away at the gate, some fans are stashing their bags nearby — apparently planning to grab them later — and that’s creating a real headache for law enforcement, according to The Star.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026
Clearly, these aren’t just California headaches.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 21 June 2026
Experiencing symptoms of a fever, fatigue, headache, rash and loss of consciousness, the person was hospitalized for over two weeks, when officials determined the patient was suffering from an infection borne by the Rickettsia lanei pathogen.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for headache
Video
An Abbreviated History of American English Spelling
Soop, wimmen, and headake did not make the cut
Cite this Entry
“Headache.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headache. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
