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

Then there's an NBA double-header with Jalen Brunson and the Knicks facing off against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks followed by a Luka Dončić revenge game as the Lakers square off against the Mavericks. —PC Magazine, 20 Nov. 2025

There’s a header off of Auer’s old Lancia 037 up on a nearby shelf, and here’s a photo of him sliding it on a historic rally. —Raphael Orlove, Robb Report, 18 Nov. 2025

Foden darted around in his new false nine role and should have done better with a header from a Henderson cross. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025

On the ensuing Portland run, there was a scary moment for the Wave when midfielder Laurina Fazer and defender Perle Morroni collided heads in mid-air going for the midfield header. —Austin White, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025

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