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
Sughnen Yongo, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Check out the companies making headlines in premarket trading: Novo Nordisk — The stock jumped about 5%, rebounding from the nearly 18% losses seen in the previous session.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 20 Dec. 2024
Oscar Isaac and Ana de Armas are set to headline a new drama series titled Bananas for the streamer, our sister site Deadline reports.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 19 Dec. 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
The shooting—and the speculation surrounding what truly happened that night—has kept Megan in the headlines.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Check out the companies making headlines in premarket trading: Novo Nordisk — The stock jumped about 5%, rebounding from the nearly 18% losses seen in the previous session.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
Beyoncé is making history as she is set to headline the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans Christmas Halftime Show.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 20 Dec. 2024
Oscar Isaac and Ana de Armas are set to headline a new drama series titled Bananas for the streamer, our sister site Deadline reports.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 19 Dec. 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 30 Dec. 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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