talking head

noun

: the televised head and shoulders shot of a person talking

also : a television personality who appears in such shots

Examples of talking head in a Sentence

The debate was followed by hours of talking heads analyzing the candidates' performances.

Recent Examples on the Web

What so many of these talking heads have in common—legitimate experts, well-meaning journalists, and kooks alike—is how costly their recommendations are. —CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026

He’s honed his tough-talking image over years on television, including tireless appearances as a talking head on news shows and a brief flirtation with political candidacy in Canada. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026

It’s left to a solid assortment of talking heads, with very conspicuous absences, to fill in the myriad gaps. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025

Even today, a simplistic popularization of political science is preached by legions of analysts, columnists, and talking heads who imagine politics mostly in terms of data, statistics, institutions, and strategy. —Jason Blakely, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for talking head

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead