headline

[ hed-lahyn ]

noun

1. a heading in a newspaper for any written material, sometimes for an illustration, to indicate subject matter, set in larger type than that of the copy and containing one or more words and lines and often several banks.
2. the largest such heading on the front page, usually at the top.
3. the line at the top of a page, containing the title, pagination, etc.

verb (used with object)

, head·lined, head·lin·ing.

1. to furnish with a headline.
2. to mention or name in a headline.
3. to publicize, feature, or star (a specific performer, product, etc.).
4. to be the star of (a show, nightclub act, etc.)

verb (used without object)

, head·lined, head·lin·ing.

1. to be the star of an entertainment.

headline

/ ˈhɛdˌlaɪn /

noun

1. Also calledheadheading
   1. a phrase at the top of a newspaper or magazine article indicating the subject of the article, usually in larger and heavier type
   2. a line at the top of a page indicating the title, page number, etc
2. usually plural the main points of a television or radio news broadcast, read out before the full broadcast and summarized at the end
3. hit the headlines
   to become prominent in the news

verb

1. tr to furnish (a story or page) with a headline
2. to have top billing (in)

Word History and Origins

Origin of headline¹

First recorded in 1620–30; head + line ¹

Example Sentences

She also drew a noticeably smaller crowd than the weekend's other performers, which led to some comments online questioning her suitability as a headline act.

From BBC

US singer-songwriter SZA says she was "scared" and "freaked out" during her headline set at Glastonbury festival in June.

From BBC

It wasn’t just the headline scoreline either, it was the details.

From BBC

Among the chaos of the headline antics, undisputed light-welterweight champion Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano offered a calm appetiser, making weight with ease, conducting a friendly face-off before using their time on the microphones to hail the progress of women's boxing.

From BBC

Festival organiser Emily Eavis has previously said 2026 will be a fallow year for Glastonbury, to allow the land to rest and recover, but she is already in talks with acts to headline in 2025.

From BBC

Related Words

• caption
• title