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
Ewan Spence, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
People want to see the house from the headlines up close.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Melinda Sheckells, Billboard, 23 Mar. 2025
Sweeney is also producing and headlining David Michôd’s biopic of female boxer Christy Martin.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Mar. 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
Now read the latest Pixel 10 Pro, Galaxy S26 and Android smartphone headlines in Forbes’ weekly news digest...
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
People want to see the house from the headlines up close.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
Concerts, which brought together South Korean, Japanese, Chinese and American hip-hop artists and DJs, featured the Hong Kong debuts of Quavo and Metro Boomin, who headlined the opening night.
—Melinda Sheckells, Billboard, 23 Mar. 2025
Sweeney is also producing and headlining David Michôd’s biopic of female boxer Christy Martin.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Mar. 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 27 Mar. 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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