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

Hakimi fired off the corner, followed by a header by Chadi Riad that was picked up by Rahimi, who slammed it into the upper right of the net. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 June 2026

Against the backdrop of British Prime Ministers Keir Starmer’s resignation and London’s hottest-ever June day, a Sotheby’s double-header evening sale on Wednesday offered a rare note of reassurance. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026

Not only was the nation making just its second-ever appearance at the tournament – and first since 1974 when it was still known as Zaire – but Yoane Wissa’s towering header on the stroke of halftime marked the DRC’s first World Cup goal and earned its first point. — Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 24 June 2026

Tap-ins, headers, one-on-ones, worldies, with either foot, whatever. — Matt Slater, New York Times, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing header

• triple-header

Rhymes for header

• cheddar
• redder
• shredder
• spreader

Kids Definition

header

noun

head·​er ˈhed-ər 

: a fall or dive headfirst

took a header downstairs