headline

1 of 3

noun

head·​line ˈhed-ˌlīn 

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 : major and widely reported news

the scandal made/grabbed headlines

a story in the headlines [=widely reported] for weeks

headline

2 of 3

verb

headlined; headlining; headlines

transitive verb

1

: to provide with a headline

2

: to publicize highly

3

: to be engaged as a leading performer in (a show)

headline

3 of 3

adjective

: deserving mention in a headline : very noteworthy

the headline abduction of a diplomat

Synonyms of headline

Noun

• title
• caption
• heading

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

Noun

Topline The Perseid meteor shower — one of 2026’s celestial highlights — may be stealing the headlines this summer, but skywatchers have another opportunity to look up this week. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

As Netflix's 'The Idaho Murders' addresses the criminal case, Bryan Kohberger is making headlines again by seeking to withdraw his guilty plea. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Verb

The latter came off a 17-year hiatus since losing to Cyborg in Strikeforce to headline the first MMA card on Netflix against Rousey. — Leocciano Callao, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

In August, Rodrigo will host and headline her own inaugural one-day music festival called Daisy Chain Fields, a spiritual successor to Lilith Fair with an all-female lineup including Stevie Nicks, Doechii, and Mitski. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 23 July 2026

Adjective

Too many residents are quietly struggling with burnout, isolation, housing insecurity, or lack of access to care, yet these challenges often receive less attention than headline political debates. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026

Sting had originally been scheduled to co-headline Bank of America Stadium last year with Billy Joel before Joel’s health issues forced cancellation of the tour. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1906, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing headline

• headline inflation

Rhymes for headline

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• brucine
• byline

Kids 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 verb

1

: to provide with a headline

2

: to publicize highly