1
: words set at the head of a passage or page to introduce or categorize
2
a
: a head of a newspaper story or article usually printed in large type and giving the gist of the story or article that follows
b
headlines plural
: front-page news
the scandal made headlines
headlined; headlining; headlines
1
: to provide with a headline
2
: to publicize highly
3
: to be engaged as a leading performer in (a show)
: deserving mention in a headline : very noteworthy
the headline abduction of a diplomat
Examples of headline in a Sentence
Noun
The story of his arrest appeared beneath the headline “Caught!”.
She only had time to scan the headlines before she had to rush out the door.
Surprising developments have kept the murder investigation in the headlines for several weeks.
She has grabbed the headlines by making public accusations of corruption within the government.
Verb
The band is headlining the music festival.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
The festival’s headline performance was Wagner’s comedic opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, and the Great Festival Hall was packed.
—Tomas Weber, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
Thomas Smith, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
In 2023 the lineup was Maroon 5 and Walker Hayes, and the first Concert in the Coliseum in 2022 was headlined by Thomas Rhett and Old Dominion.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
WSJ, 29 Nov. 2023
At the time this tour was limited to club venues and state theaters, but now some 9 years later both bands are slated to co-headline LA’s KIA Forum this spring.
—Quentin Singer, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for headline 
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Noun
Aha, not always, as per the recent news headlines about Massachusetts.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
The festival’s headline performance was Wagner’s comedic opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, and the Great Festival Hall was packed.
—Tomas Weber, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
The event was headlined by SZA, Lana Del Rey, Stevie Nicks and more at 2024’s edition.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
In 2023 the lineup was Maroon 5 and Walker Hayes, and the first Concert in the Coliseum in 2022 was headlined by Thomas Rhett and Old Dominion.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The preliminary estimate for headline German inflation, due for release at 1300 GMT, is expected to fall to 3.5% in November from 3.8% in October, measured according to national standards.
—WSJ, 29 Nov. 2023
At the time this tour was limited to club venues and state theaters, but now some 9 years later both bands are slated to co-headline LA’s KIA Forum this spring.
—Quentin Singer, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for headline
Dictionary Entries Near headline
Cite this Entry
“Headline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headline. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
headline
1 of 2 noun
head·line
-ˌlīn 
1
: a line at the top of a page (as in a book) giving a heading
2
: the title over an item or article in a newspaper
headline
2 of 2 verb1
: to provide with a headline
2
: to publicize highly
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