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
Eras is a straight concert film, with no other docu-style elements (see: talking head interviews, behind-the-scenes or archival footage, etc.).
—
Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2023
So many music documentaries or biopics put the focus on just about everything but the music — when the music finally starts up, there’s either dialogue or talking heads happening over the top of it.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 7 Nov. 2023
The talking head is Pierre Boulez, the leading modernist of his era.
—David Allen, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2023
Little ones may come downstairs late at night to find their parents watching talking heads discuss the war on one side of the screen, with violence playing out on the other.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 12 Oct. 2023
Without them, many local communities are left to rely on national news – with its all-too-frequent argumentative talking heads – while most of the decisions and policies that impact our daily lives are made locally.
—Essence, 19 Oct. 2023
Enter Email Sign Up Arnold Schwarzenegger and Stallone’s brother Frank are a couple of the talking heads present, but this is mostly Stallone’s show.
—Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023
In parallel with his rapid rise, Anthony quickly became the subject of headlines as conservative politicians and talking heads embraced his song.
—Time, 22 Aug. 2023
Morris is vocal about her progressive politics, publicly condemning transphobic talking heads and insurrection Barbies and raising $150,000 for LGBTQ+ charities.
—Hannah Summerhill, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2023
See More
Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Oct. 2023
So many music documentaries or biopics put the focus on just about everything but the music — when the music finally starts up, there’s either dialogue or talking heads happening over the top of it.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 7 Nov. 2023
The talking head is Pierre Boulez, the leading modernist of his era.
—David Allen, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2023
Little ones may come downstairs late at night to find their parents watching talking heads discuss the war on one side of the screen, with violence playing out on the other.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 12 Oct. 2023
Without them, many local communities are left to rely on national news – with its all-too-frequent argumentative talking heads – while most of the decisions and policies that impact our daily lives are made locally.
—Essence, 19 Oct. 2023
Enter Email Sign Up Arnold Schwarzenegger and Stallone’s brother Frank are a couple of the talking heads present, but this is mostly Stallone’s show.
—Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023
In parallel with his rapid rise, Anthony quickly became the subject of headlines as conservative politicians and talking heads embraced his song.
—Time, 22 Aug. 2023
Morris is vocal about her progressive politics, publicly condemning transphobic talking heads and insurrection Barbies and raising $150,000 for LGBTQ+ charities.
—Hannah Summerhill, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'talking head.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1964, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near talking head
Cite this Entry
“Talking head.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talking%20head. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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