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
Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Outside of his contributions to the league, Irsay also made headlines for his personal life.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 22 May 2025
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The concerts are being headlined by Dead & Company, the phenomenally popular Grateful Dead spinoff that just finished up its second lengthy run at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 22 May 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
Their affair first made headlines in late 2022, prompting ABC to launch a probe that ultimately ended with the two getting axed from their high profile gigs.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Outside of his contributions to the league, Irsay also made headlines for his personal life.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
While the 2025 class boasts one elite player in Marner, the 2026 class is headlined by three MVP-caliber forwards: Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov and Jack Eichel.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The concerts are being headlined by Dead & Company, the phenomenally popular Grateful Dead spinoff that just finished up its second lengthy run at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 22 May 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 29 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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