header

[ hed-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that removes or puts a head on something.
2. a reaping machine that cuts off and gathers only the heads of the grain.
3. a chamber to which the ends of a number of tubes are connected so that water or steam may pass freely from one tube to the other.
4. Automotive. an exhaust manifold.
5. Building Trades.
   1. a brick or stone laid in a wall or the like so that its shorter ends are exposed or parallel to the surface. Compare stretcher ( def 5 ).
   2. a framing member crossing and supporting the ends of joists, studs, or rafters so as to transfer their weight to parallel joists, studs, or rafters.
6. Informal. a plunge or dive headfirst, as into water:

   He stumbled and took a header into the ditch.

7. Soccer. a pass or shot made by heading the ball.
8. a sign that is part of or attached to the top of a rack displaying merchandise.
9. Computers. a line of information placed at the top of a page for purposes of identification.

header

/ ˈhɛdə /

noun

1. Also calledheader tank a reservoir, tank, or hopper that maintains a gravity feed or a static fluid pressure in an apparatus
2. a manifold for distributing a fluid supply amongst a number of passages
3. a machine that trims the heads from castings, forgings, etc, or one that forms heads, as in wire, to make nails
4. a person who operates such a machine
5. a brick or stone laid across a wall so that its end is flush with the outer surface Compare stretcher
6. the action of striking a ball with the head
7. informal.
   a headlong fall or dive
8. computing
   1. a block of data on a tape or disk providing information about the size, location, etc, of a file
   2. ( as modifier )

      header label

      header card

9. dialect.
   a mentally unbalanced person

Word History and Origins

Origin of header¹

First recorded in 1400–50, header is from the late Middle English word heder. See head, -er ¹

Example Sentences

“Our work is far from over,” read the header.

From Slate

Rodrigo Bentancur's header gave Spurs hope but they were unable to force an equaliser.

From BBC

I loved Alexander Isak's header for Newcastle against Arsenal last week.

From BBC

I don't think he'll end up with many clean sheets and he rode his luck a few times against Everton - but probably made Southampton's save of the season from Michael Keane's header which would have changed the focus of the match.

From BBC

I had my doubts about Corona-based Corona Tools’ new Dead Header Snips, but the minute I tried them I was hooked.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dunk