1
: words set at the head of a passage or page to introduce or categorize
2
a
: a head of a newspaper story or article usually printed in large type and giving the gist of the story or article that follows
b
headlines plural
: front-page news
the scandal made headlines
headlined; headlining; headlines
1
: to provide with a headline
2
: to publicize highly
3
: to be engaged as a leading performer in (a show)
: deserving mention in a headline : very noteworthy
the headline abduction of a diplomat
Examples of headline in a Sentence
Noun
The story of his arrest appeared beneath the headline “Caught!”.
She only had time to scan the headlines before she had to rush out the door.
Surprising developments have kept the murder investigation in the headlines for several weeks.
She has grabbed the headlines by making public accusations of corruption within the government.
Verb
The band is headlining the music festival.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
The eight-pound sausage dog recently made headlines around the world for surviving on a rugged Australian island for more than a year.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025
The list is headlined by Berkly Catton, who doesn’t turn 20 until January and would have to start next season in the NHL.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
WSJ, 29 Nov. 2023
At the time this tour was limited to club venues and state theaters, but now some 9 years later both bands are slated to co-headline LA’s KIA Forum this spring.
—Quentin Singer, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for headline
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Noun
Now read the latest smartphone headlines, including those on the Galaxy S25 Edge, in Forbes’ weekly Android Circuit news digest...
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
The eight-pound sausage dog recently made headlines around the world for surviving on a rugged Australian island for more than a year.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Malayalam-language film headlined by Mohanlal attracted a strong turnout, underlining the steady appetite for South Asian cinema in the U.K. and Ireland market.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025
The list is headlined by Berkly Catton, who doesn’t turn 20 until January and would have to start next season in the NHL.
—Scott Powers, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The preliminary estimate for headline German inflation, due for release at 1300 GMT, is expected to fall to 3.5% in November from 3.8% in October, measured according to national standards.
—WSJ, 29 Nov. 2023
At the time this tour was limited to club venues and state theaters, but now some 9 years later both bands are slated to co-headline LA’s KIA Forum this spring.
—Quentin Singer, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for headline
Cite this Entry
“Headline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headline. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
headline
1 of 2 noun
head·line
-ˌlīn 
1
: a line at the top of a page (as in a book) giving a heading
2
: the title over an item or article in a newspaper
headline
2 of 2 verb1
: to provide with a headline
2
: to publicize highly
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