header

noun

head·​er ˈhe-dər 

1

: one that removes heads

especially : a grain-harvesting machine that cuts off the grain heads and elevates them to a wagon

2

a

: a brick or stone laid in a wall with its end toward the face of the wall

b

: a beam fitted at one side of an opening to support free ends of floor joists, studs, or rafters

c

: a horizontal structural or finish piece over an opening : lintel

d

: a conduit (such as an exhaust pipe for a many-cylindered engine) into which a number of smaller conduits open

e

: a mounting plate through which electrical terminals pass from a sealed device (such as a transistor)

3

informal : a fall or dive headfirst

took a header into the pool

4

: a shot or pass in soccer made by heading the ball

5

a

: head sense 15a(1)

b

: information (such as a page number) printed or placed at the top of each page of a document compare footer sense 2

Synonyms of header

• title
• caption
• heading
• headline

Examples of header in a Sentence

She tripped on the rock and took a header.

He scored with a header past the goalie.

Recent Examples on the Web

There, Kyle Duncan swooped in to beat SDFC’s Luca Bombino with a header that beat goalkeeper Duran Ferree. —Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026

But Charlotte’s late-game efforts were all for naught, with the best look in the game’s final minutes, a header by Rodolfo Aloko, sailing into the supporters’ section following a corner kick. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2026

Ryan Porteous appeared to have scored a goal with a header in the 87th minute but LAFC was ruled offside after VAR. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

Substitute Riko Ueki scored for Japan in the 61st minute off a header give-and-go with teammate and fellow sub Honoka Hayashi, giving the United States something to think about down the stretch. —Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing header

• triple-header

Rhymes for header

• cheddar
• pedder
• redder
• shredder
• spreader

Kids Definition

header

noun

head·​er ˈhed-ər 

: a fall or dive headfirst

took a header downstairs