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

No, that’s not a headline from The Onion, though it’s bound to be fuel for ongoing skits on “Saturday Night Live.”

From Salon

But there is an air of mystery around one of the headline acts for next year's Download festival.

From BBC

They earned more than £1m each for the first fight - the first women's contest to headline at New York's Madison Square Garden - and will again, deservedly, be rewarded with seven figures.

From BBC

The headline acts for next year's Download music festival have been confirmed.

From BBC

The tame white whale, which locals named Hvaldimir, made headlines five years ago amidst widespread speculation that it was a Russian spy.

From BBC

Related Words

• caption
• title