headmaster

noun

head·​mas·​ter ˈhed-ˌma-stər How to pronounce headmaster (audio)
-ˈma-
Synonyms of headmasternext
: a man heading the staff of a private school : principal
headmasterly adjective
headmastership noun

Examples of headmaster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Taran Chun, former headmaster at a large private school system in Hawai’i, did not list at least three years of public school classroom experience or equivalent instructional experience. Austin Horn june 25, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 As the school grows, Solum said, the board hopes to hire a headmaster. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 In the show, Morrissey plays headmaster Michael Polly, who becomes the chief suspect when his wife goes missing and who remains inscrutable for most of the six episodes. Simon Button, Variety, 16 June 2026 John Lithgow plays Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore, with Janet McTeer as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Professor Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for headmaster

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of headmaster was in 1576

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Cite this Entry

“Headmaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headmaster. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

headmaster

noun
head·​mas·​ter -ˌmas-tər How to pronounce headmaster (audio)
-ˈmas-
: a male head of a private school

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