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
Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Both of Jamie Foxx’s children have made headlines in their own right—Corinne following in her father’s footsteps as an actress and model, while Annalise has walked the red carpet with her dad on many occasions.
—Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 11 Dec. 2024
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024
Young people have turned away from thoroughbred racing and the signature event, despite the presence of headlining musical acts such as Bruno Mars in 2023 and Jack Harlow in 2024.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 11 Dec. 2024
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
Because the main headline was that Genevieve was finally gone, voted out 3-2.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Both of Jamie Foxx’s children have made headlines in their own right—Corinne following in her father’s footsteps as an actress and model, while Annalise has walked the red carpet with her dad on many occasions.
—Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
Aziz Ansari, Kevin Hart and Leslie Jones are among the comics set to headline Rhode Island’s inaugural Lil Rhody Laugh Riot, a four-day comedy festival taking place March 27 to 30.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024
Young people have turned away from thoroughbred racing and the signature event, despite the presence of headlining musical acts such as Bruno Mars in 2023 and Jack Harlow in 2024.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 11 Dec. 2024
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
Dictionary Entries Near headline
Cite this Entry
“Headline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headline. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
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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