title

1 of 3

noun

ti·​tle ˈtī-tᵊl How to pronounce title (audio)
1
a
: the distinguishing name of a written, printed, or filmed production
b
: a similar distinguishing name of a musical composition or a work of art
2
: a usually published work as distinguished from a particular copy
published 25 new titles
3
: a descriptive name : appellation
4
a
: an appellation of dignity, honor, distinction, or preeminence attached to a person or family by virtue of rank, office, precedent, privilege, attainment, or lands
b
: a person holding a title especially of nobility
5
6
a
: a legally just cause of exclusive possession
b
: the instrument (such as a deed) that is evidence of a right
c
: all the elements constituting legal ownership
7
a
: a descriptive or general heading (as of a chapter in a book)
b
: the heading which names an act or statute
c
: the heading of a legal action or proceeding
8
: a division of an instrument, book, or bill
especially : one larger than a section or article
9
a
: something that justifies or substantiates a claim
b
: an alleged or recognized right
10
a
: written material introduced into a motion picture or television program to give credits, explain an action, or represent dialogue
usually used in plural
b
obsolete : inscription

title

2 of 3

verb

titled; titling ˈtīt-liŋ How to pronounce title (audio)
ˈtī-tᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1
: to provide a title for
2
: to designate or call by a title : term, style

title

3 of 3

adjective

: of or relating to a title: such as
a
: having the same name as the title of a production
did the title role in Hamlet
b
: having the same title as or providing the title for the collection or production of which it forms a part
the title song
c
: of, relating to, or involving a championship
a title match
d
: of, relating to, or used with the titles that introduce a motion picture or television program
title music

Examples of title in a Sentence

Noun What was the title of that book you were reading last week? The title of the first chapter is “Getting Started.” The company published 25 new titles last year. This is one of our best-selling titles. Her title is Vice President of Marketing. He has an impressive job title. Verb She titled the book The Story of My Life. a movie titled Gone With the Wind Adjective the title song on the CD
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Real Madrid will be looking for revenge after suffering a 5-1 aggregate drubbing at the hands of City in last season’s semifinals, as Pep Guardiola’s side went on to win the title for the first time in the club’s history. Matias Grez, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Bryant helped the Lakers win the 2000 NBA title in a six-game series over the Indiana Pacers, despite suffering from a sprained ankle during Game 2 and Game 3. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 So Far Series Mania’s painstakingly curation shows in critics’ reactions to many of its titles which have been released. John Hopewell, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 Halloween is still seven months away, but Blumhouse is hoping to tide horror fans over by putting some of its library titles back into theaters. Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024 Seeking its third consecutive conference tournament title, Arizona (25-7) advanced to face either UCLA or Oregon in a semifinal Friday evening. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Only once in its history has the conference claimed two No. 1 seeds: In 1990, when Stanford and Washington had the honor, and the Cardinal went on to win its first national title. Jeff Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 As previously noted, titles that are part of Universal Music Group’s catalog are currently unavailable on TikTok. Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 The longtime Patriots coach holds the record for most Super Bowl victories and appearances by a head coach, as well as the most conference and division titles. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024
Verb
Each episode of the series is titled after one of the characters. Caroline Brew, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024 Then, her 2022 debut studio album was titled You Still Here, Ho? Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 15 Mar. 2024 It might be titled: the tale of the helpful grandma whale. Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 An event titled Operation Impact last month presented 25 certificates and awards to Young Black & N’ Business members for their dedication to the community and to recognize their work. U-T Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 If passed by the Senate, the bill, which is officially titled the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, would make it so that the TikTok will likely no longer be accessible in major U.S. mobile app stores. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 14 Mar. 2024 The exhibition, titled Naomi: in Fashion and sponsored by Boss, promises to be a thrilling experience for fashion enthusiasts. Alex Kessler, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024 Last year, the BMF actress heated up the stove with her first Gangsta Grillz mixtape titled Back on Dexter. Find Kash’s pregnancy announcement below. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 Coincidentally, another series currently titled Untamed — and also hailing from Warner Bros. — has landed an order at Netflix. Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The answer to the mystery of the movie’s success lies in its pre-title sequence, as little possessed David cowers in a bathtub. Jo Livingstone, The New Republic, 22 June 2021 The crash tragedy wasn’t the Bulldogs’ only post-title incident. Andrew Beaton, WSJ, 1 Mar. 2023 WWE Raw also advertised Raw women’s champion Bianca Belair taking on Carmella in non-title action and Sami Zayn vs. Jimmy Uso. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2023 After a pre-title cold open where a distraught young Suzume, searching for her missing mother, is helped in 2011 by a kind but barely-seen young woman, the film shifts to the present time. Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2023 For 41 straight years going back to the last non-title season in 1981, Poway has claimed a section crown in wrestling. Terry Monahan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2023 These are all post-title packages completed by Shelby American after a Mustang is purchased from a Ford dealer. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2023 Netflix last week unveiled its first multi-title film and TV slate from Thailand. Patrick Frater, Variety, 16 Oct. 2022 For her first visit to the country of Wales post-title change, Kate exchanged her Alexander McQueen coatdress for a crimson overcoat from LK Bennett worn over black slacks and matching black sweater. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 27 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'title.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin titulus inscription, title

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 10b

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of title was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near title

Cite this Entry

“Title.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/title. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

title

1 of 2 noun
ti·​tle ˈtīt-ᵊl How to pronounce title (audio)
1
a
: a legal right to the ownership of property
b
: the document that is evidence of a right
2
: the name given to something (as a book, song, or job) to identify or describe it
3
: a word or group of words attached to a person's name to show honor, rank, or office
4
: championship sense 2
won the batting title

title

2 of 2 verb
titled; titling ˈtīt-liŋ How to pronounce title (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to call by a title

Legal Definition

title

noun
ti·​tle
1
a
: the means or right by which one owns or possesses property
broadly : the quality of ownership as determined by a body of facts and events
after-acquired title
: title that vests automatically in a grantee when acquired by a grantor who purported to sell the property before acquiring title
also : a doctrine that requires such vesting compare estoppel by deed at estoppel sense 1

Note: The doctrine of after-acquired title generally does not apply when the grantor receives title by quitclaim deed; to vest title in the grantee the deed must include words expressing such an intention.

clear title
: title that exists free of claims or encumbrances on the property had clear title to the farm
broadly : marketable title in this entry
equitable title
: title vested in one who is considered by the application of equitable principles to be the owner of property even though legal title is vested in another the purchaser under a contract for sale had equitable title to and an insurable interest in the property
specifically : the right to receive legal title upon performance of an obligation
good title
: title to property (as a negotiable instrument or real property) that is valid in fact or law or beyond a reasonable doubt a holder in due course acquires good title to the item
especially : marketable title in this entry
Indian title
: title held by American Indians that consists of the right to occupy certain land with the permission of the United States government appears to be no question that Congress may limit or extinguish Indian title, and any rights appurtenant to the title, without obtaining the consent of the Indian peoplesIn re Rights to Use Water in Big Horn River Sys., 753 P.2d 76 (1988) compare reservation
just title
in the civil law of Louisiana : a juridical act (as a sale or donation) sufficient to transfer ownership or a real right
also : the title that derives from such an act
have a just title

Note: For the purposes of acquisitive prescription, the requirement of just title is satisfied by an act that would have been sufficient to transfer ownership if it had been executed by the true owner.

legal title
: title that is determined or recognized as constituting formal or valid ownership (as by virtue of an instrument) even if not accompanied by possession or use the trustee held legal title to the property compare legal interest at interest sense 1
lucrative title \ ˈlü-​krə-​tiv-​ \
: title to property acquired by gift, succession, or inheritance the property acquired by lucrative title remained the separate property of the spouse
marketable title
: title that is subject to no reasonable doubt as to its validity or freedom from encumbrance and that can be reasonably sold, purchased, or mortgaged seller warrants that seller has marketable title to the property
specifically : title of such quality that a purchaser under contract should be compelled to accept it

called also merchantable title

Note: Clear title and good title are commonly used to indicate marketable title.

onerous title
in the civil law of Louisiana : title that depends on the giving of consideration for the property
: title to property that is acquired through the labor or skill of a spouse and is included in community property
paper title
: title shown on a document had an equitable interest in the property though paper title was held by her husband
paramount title \ ˈpar-​ə-​ˌmau̇nt-​ \
: title that renders inferior any other title to the property warranted that the purchaser would have quiet enjoyment free from disturbance by one holding paramount title
particular title
in the civil law of Louisiana : title by which one possesses or owns particular property received (as by purchase, gift, or legacy) before or after the death of an ancestor a successor by particular title does not continue the possession of his ancestorA. N. Yiannopoulos see also particular legacy at legacy compare universal title in this entry
record title
: title shown on the public record
tax title
: title obtained by the purchaser of property at a tax sale
also : title held by a governmental body to property seized because of tax delinquency
universal title
: title acquired by the conveyance causa mortis of a specified proportion (as one-fourth) of all of the conveyor's property interests or all of a specified type of the conveyor's property interests especially so that upon the conveyor's death the recipient stands as a universal successor was a legatee under universal title
b
: an instrument (as a deed) that is evidence of ownership
c
: certificate of title sense 1a
paid tax and title fees
2
a
: the name or heading of something (as a proceeding, statute, or book)
b
often capitalized : a division of a statutory or regulatory code or of an act
Title IX
Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, inscription, legal right, from Old French, from Latin titulum inscription, chapter heading, part of the law that sanctions an action

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