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
Stephanie Stremplewski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
Recalling current headlines out of Paris, three art thieves wander into a museum in broad daylight and steal four paintings.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2025
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
Their headlining performance for Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians 2025 was backed by Bleachers, the band Antonoff has led for the past decade.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 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
That's all the headlines for today.
—Stephanie Stremplewski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
Recalling current headlines out of Paris, three art thieves wander into a museum in broad daylight and steal four paintings.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Reneé Rapp has been criss-crossing North America for the past month on her headlining Bite Me tour.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
Their headlining performance for Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians 2025 was backed by Bleachers, the band Antonoff has led for the past decade.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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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