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
Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 23 June 2024
Reports of French bed bugs rose largely because people saw horror headlines and started looking under their mattresses.
—Alena Botros, Fortune Europe, 22 June 2024
Angie Orellana Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024
Alanis Morissette is headlining the final night of Pitchfork Music Festival 2024 in Chicago.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 21 June 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 
Noun
Last year,Youngkin cited it to call for a review of an Advanced Placement course on African American studies shortly after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made headlines when his administration rejected the course.
—Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 23 June 2024
Reports of French bed bugs rose largely because people saw horror headlines and started looking under their mattresses.
—Alena Botros, Fortune Europe, 22 June 2024
Verb
Tyler, 33, was slated to headline both music festivals, which take place in early August.
—Angie Orellana Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024
Alanis Morissette is headlining the final night of Pitchfork Music Festival 2024 in Chicago.
—Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 21 June 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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'headline.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near headline
Cite this Entry
“Headline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headline. Accessed 1 Jul. 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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