title

[ tahyt-l ]

noun

1. the distinguishing name of a book, poem, picture, piece of music, or the like.
2. a descriptive heading or caption, as of a chapter, section, or other part of a book.
3. title page.
4. a descriptive or distinctive appellation, especially one belonging to a person by right of rank, office, attainment, etc.:

   the title of Lord Mayor.

   Synonyms: denomination, designation

5. Sports. the championship:

   He won the title three years in a row.

6. an established or recognized right to something.
7. a ground or basis for a claim.
8. anything that provides a ground or basis for a claim.
9. Law.
   1. legal right to the possession of property, especially real property.
   2. the ground or evidence of such right.
   3. the instrument constituting evidence of such right.
   4. a unity combining all of the requisites to complete legal ownership.
   5. a division of a statute, lawbook, etc., especially one larger than an article or section.
   6. (in pleading) the designation of one's basis for judicial relief; the cause of action sued upon, as a contract or tort.
10. Ecclesiastical.
    1. a fixed sphere of work and source of income, required as a condition of ordination.
    2. any of certain Roman Catholic churches in Rome, the nominal incumbents of which are cardinals.
11. Usually titles. Movies, Television.
    1. a subtitle in the viewer's own language:

       an Italian movie with English titles.

    2. any written matter inserted into the film or program, especially the list of actors, technicians, writers, etc., contributing to it; credits.

adjective

1. of or relating to a title:

   the title story in a collection.

2. that decides a title:

   a title bout.

verb (used with object)

, ti·tled, ti·tling.

1. to furnish with a title; designate by an appellation; entitle.

   Synonyms: style, call, term, denominate

title

/ ˈtaɪtəl /

noun

1. the distinctive name of a work of art, musical or literary composition, etc
2. a descriptive name, caption, or heading of a section of a book, speech, etc
3. See title page
4. a name or epithet signifying rank, office, or function
5. a formal designation, such as Mr, Mrs, or Miss
6. an appellation designating nobility
7. films
   1. short for subtitle
   2. written material giving credits in a film or television programme
8. sport a championship
9. property law
   1. the legal right to possession of property, esp real property
   2. the basis of such right
   3. the documentary evidence of such right

      title deeds

10. law
    1. the heading or a division of a statute, book of law, etc
    2. the heading of a suit or action at law
11. 1. any customary or established right
    2. a claim based on such a right
12. a definite spiritual charge or office in the church, without appointment to which a candidate for holy orders cannot lawfully be ordained
13. RC Church a titular church

verb

1. tr to give a title to

Other Words From

• mis·title verb (used with object) mistitled mistitling
• non·title adjective
• re·title verb (used with object) retitled retitling
• under·title noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of title¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English, variant of titel, Old English titul, from Latin titulus “superscription, title”

Word History and Origins

Origin of title¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin titulus

Synonym Study

See name.

Related Words

• championship
• crown
• medal
• power