headache

[ hed-eyk ]

noun

1. a pain located in the head, as over the eyes, at the temples, or at the base of the skull.
2. an annoying or bothersome person, situation, activity, etc.

headache

/ ˈhɛdˌeɪk /

noun

1. pain in the head, caused by dilation of cerebral arteries, muscle contraction, insufficient oxygen in the cerebral blood, reaction to drugs, etc Technical namecephalalgia
2. informal.
   any cause of worry, difficulty, or annoyance

headache

/ hĕd′āk′ /

1. Pain in the head, caused by stimulation of or pressure to any of various structures of the head, such as tissue covering the cranium, cranial nerves, or blood vessels. Headache can be a primary disorder, as in migraine or cluster headaches , or a common symptom associated with head injury or many illnesses such as acute infection, brain tumor or abscess, eye disorders such as glaucoma, dental disease, and hypertension.
2. See also cluster headache

Word History and Origins

Origin of headache¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English hēafodece. See head, ache

Example Sentences

His output was all the more impressive considering the training staff had told Cronin about a half-hour before the game that they didn’t know if Mara could play because of bad headaches.

From Los Angeles Times

“People were complaining of headaches, nausea, none of them knew where it was coming from — nobody knew other than the LADWP.”

From Los Angeles Times

Zaslav’s company is desperate to pay down debt taken on two years ago when the smaller Discovery merged with WarnerMedia, relieving AT&T of its entertainment headache.

From Los Angeles Times

Surgeons reattached Bates scalp, but the suit alleges she continues to suffer from headaches, memory loss and depression because of the incident.

From Los Angeles Times

Stress can cause muscle tension, headaches, sleep problems and loss of appetite.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dilemma
• hassle
• inconvenience
• trouble
• worry