1
a
: the distinguishing name of a written, printed, or filmed production
b
: a similar distinguishing name of a musical composition or a work of art
2
: a usually published work as distinguished from a particular copy
published 25 new titles
3
: a descriptive name : appellation
4
a
: an appellation of dignity, honor, distinction, or preeminence attached to a person or family by virtue of rank, office, precedent, privilege, attainment, or lands
b
: a person holding a title especially of nobility
6
a
: a legally just cause of exclusive possession
b
: the instrument (such as a deed) that is evidence of a right
c
: all the elements constituting legal ownership
7
a
: a descriptive or general heading (as of a chapter in a book)
b
: the heading which names an act or statute
c
: the heading of a legal action or proceeding
8
: a division of an instrument, book, or bill
especially
: one larger than a section or article
9
a
: something that justifies or substantiates a claim
b
: an alleged or recognized right
10
a
: written material introduced into a movie or television program to give credits, explain an action, or represent dialogue
—usually used in plural
b
obsolete
: inscription
titled; titling
ˈtīt-liŋ,
ˈtī-tᵊl-iŋ
: of or relating to a title: such as
a
: having the same name as the title of a production
did the title role in Hamlet
b
: having the same title as or providing the title for the collection or production of which it forms a part
the title song
c
: of, relating to, or involving a championship
a title match
d
: of, relating to, or used with the titles that introduce a movie or television program
title music
Examples of title in a Sentence
Noun
What was the title of that book you were reading last week?
The title of the first chapter is “Getting Started.”
The company published 25 new titles last year.
This is one of our best-selling titles.
Her title is Vice President of Marketing.
He has an impressive job title.
Verb
She titled the book The Story of My Life.
a movie titled Gone With the Wind
Adjective
the title song on the CD
Recent Examples on the Web
James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
After significant pushes in 2022 and 2023, including winning Money in the Bank and the United States Championship (via the first-ever cash-in for that title), his momentum shifted.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
The folder is titled—generically, non-committal-y—writing, the equivalent of an unknown number in my phone.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for title
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The tactical tweak resulted in Liverpool’s winning a game by more than two goals for the first time since the 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in April which sealed the Premier League title.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
After significant pushes in 2022 and 2023, including winning Money in the Bank and the United States Championship (via the first-ever cash-in for that title), his momentum shifted.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds will document their recent arena tour in support of their latest LP, Wild God, with a live album titled Live God.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
The folder is titled—generically, non-committal-y—writing, the equivalent of an unknown number in my phone.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for title
Cite this Entry
“Title.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/title. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
title
1 of 2 noun
ti·tle
ˈtīt-ᵊl
1
a
: a legal right to the ownership of property
b
: the document that is evidence of a right
2
: the name given to something (as a book, song, or job) to identify or describe it
3
: a word or group of words attached to a person's name to show honor, rank, or office
4
: championship sense 2
won the batting title
Legal Definition
title
noun
ti·tle
1
a
: the means or right by which one owns or possesses property
broadly
: the quality of ownership as determined by a body of facts and events
—
after-acquired title
: title that vests automatically in a grantee when acquired by a grantor who purported to sell the property before acquiring title
also
: a doctrine that requires such vesting compare estoppel by deed at estoppel sense 1
Note: The doctrine of after-acquired title generally does not apply when the grantor receives title by quitclaim deed; to vest title in the grantee the deed must include words expressing such an intention.
—
clear title
: title that exists free of claims or encumbrances on the property
had clear title to the farm
broadly
: marketable title in this entry
—
equitable title
: title vested in one who is considered by the application of equitable principles to be the owner of property even though legal title is vested in another
the purchaser under a contract for sale had equitable title to and an insurable interest in the property
specifically
: the right to receive legal title upon performance of an obligation
—
good title
: title to property (as a negotiable instrument or real property) that is valid in fact or law or beyond a reasonable doubt
a holder in due course acquires good title to the item
especially
: marketable title in this entry
—
Indian title
: title held by American Indians that consists of the right to occupy certain land with the permission of the United States government
appears to be no question that Congress may limit or extinguish Indian title, and any rights appurtenant to the title, without obtaining the consent of the Indian peoples—In re Rights to Use Water in Big Horn River Sys., 753 P.2d 76 (1988)
compare reservation
In re Rights to Use Water in Big Horn River Sys., 753 P.2d 76 (1988)
compare reservation
—
just title
in the civil law of Louisiana
: a juridical act (as a sale or donation) sufficient to transfer ownership or a real right
also
: the title that derives from such an act
have a just title
Note: For the purposes of acquisitive prescription, the requirement of just title is satisfied by an act that would have been sufficient to transfer ownership if it had been executed by the true owner.
—
legal title
: title that is determined or recognized as constituting formal or valid ownership (as by virtue of an instrument) even if not accompanied by possession or use
the trustee held legal title to the property
compare legal interest at interest sense 1
—
lucrative title
\
ˈlü-krə-tiv-
\
: title to property acquired by gift, succession, or inheritance
the property acquired by lucrative title remained the separate property of the spouse
—
marketable title
: title that is subject to no reasonable doubt as to its validity or freedom from encumbrance and that can be reasonably sold, purchased, or mortgaged
seller warrants that seller has marketable title to the property
specifically
: title of such quality that a purchaser under contract should be compelled to accept it
called also merchantable title
Note: Clear title and good title are commonly used to indicate marketable title.
—
onerous title
in the civil law of Louisiana
: title that depends on the giving of consideration for the property
: title to property that is acquired through the labor or skill of a spouse and is included in community property
—
paper title
: title shown on a document
had an equitable interest in the property though paper title was held by her husband
—
paramount title
\
ˈpar-ə-ˌmau̇nt-
\
: title that renders inferior any other title to the property
warranted that the purchaser would have quiet enjoyment free from disturbance by one holding paramount title
—
particular title
in the civil law of Louisiana
: title by which one possesses or owns particular property received (as by purchase, gift, or legacy) before or after the death of an ancestor
a successor by particular title does not continue the possession of his ancestor—A. N. Yiannopoulos
see also particular legacy at legacy compare universal title in this entry
A. N. Yiannopoulos
see also particular legacy at legacy compare universal title in this entry
—
record title
: title shown on the public record
—
tax title
: title obtained by the purchaser of property at a tax sale
also
: title held by a governmental body to property seized because of tax delinquency
—
universal title
: title acquired by the conveyance causa mortis of a specified proportion (as one-fourth) of all of the conveyor's property interests or all of a specified type of the conveyor's property interests especially so that upon the conveyor's death the recipient stands as a universal successor
was a legatee under universal title
b
: an instrument (as a deed) that is evidence of ownership
c
: certificate of title sense 1a
paid tax and title fees
2
a
: the name or heading of something (as a proceeding, statute, or book)
b
often capitalized
: a division of a statutory or regulatory code or of an act
Title IX
Etymology
Noun
Anglo-French, inscription, legal right, from Old French, from Latin titulum inscription, chapter heading, part of the law that sanctions an action
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