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
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Here's everything to know about the New Shepard rocket that will be at the center of what is sure to be a headline-grabbing flight.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Al Weaver, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2025
Country music icon, Trisha Yearwood headlined the event alongside stars including Lauren Alaina, Kristin Chenoweth, Sheryl Crow, Amy Grant, Lainey Wilson, and, of course, Urban.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
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
Growing up about 20 miles away in a town called Folsom, the the A’s were popular and so were the Giants, but no team dominated the airwaves and the headlines like the Sacramento Kings.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
Here's everything to know about the New Shepard rocket that will be at the center of what is sure to be a headline-grabbing flight.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
Democrats are expected to use the opportunity to put Republicans on the record on a host of issues, headlined by Trump’s widespread tariffs that were rolled out earlier in the week and spawned major losses on Wall Street.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2025
Country music icon, Trisha Yearwood headlined the event alongside stars including Lauren Alaina, Kristin Chenoweth, Sheryl Crow, Amy Grant, Lainey Wilson, and, of course, Urban.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Headline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headline. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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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