deadhead

1 of 2

noun

dead·​head ˈded-ˌhed How to pronounce deadhead (audio)
1
: one who has not paid for a ticket
2
: a dull or stupid person
3
: a partially submerged log
4
Deadhead : a devoted fan of the rock group the Grateful Dead
The bond between the [Grateful] Dead and the Deadheads was extraordinary.Bill Barich
5
gardening : a faded blossom on a flowering plant
Pansies are still available for late spring bloom. Keep deadheads off.Edith Henderson

deadhead

2 of 2

verb

deadheaded; deadheading; deadheads

intransitive verb

1
: to make especially a return trip without a load
2
: to deadhead a plant

transitive verb

: to remove the faded flowers of (a plant) especially to keep a neat appearance and to promote reblooming by preventing seed production

Examples of deadhead in a Sentence

Noun people knew that he was a deadhead and voted for him anyway Verb She's out in the garden deadheading the rosebushes.
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Today is a day of deep sorrow and mourning for Deadheads all across the planet. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024 Acknowledging the Deadheads’ insatiable appetite for their music, the members of the Dead reconvened regularly for more than two decades in various configurations, nearly all of which included Lesh. Chris Morris, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
The new flowers hide old, spent blooms which eventually drop their petals, so there is no need to deadhead. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 July 2024 With their sticky foliage and stems, petunias have never been an enjoyable plant to deadhead. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for deadhead 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1911, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deadhead was in 1841

Dictionary Entries Near deadhead

Cite this Entry

“Deadhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadhead. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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