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
: major and widely reported news
the scandal made/grabbed headlines
a story in the headlines [=widely reported] for weeks
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
Becky Bartkowski, AZCentral.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Last year, that pack made headlines for an unprecedented number of livestock attacks — leading state wildlife officials to euthanize several members.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Kyle Denis, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2026
The 16-month charter dispute and antitrust battle between NASCAR and team owners, headlined by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin on the team side, resulted in teams getting permanent positions in the sport, if not direct equity in the series itself.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 4 Dec. 2025
The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and received the Billboard Legends of Live award for its blockbuster co-headline tour with Def Leppard in 2018, which sold more than 1 million tickets.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for headline
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Noun
Even dive bars like Bikini Lounge snag national headlines.
—Becky Bartkowski, AZCentral.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Last year, that pack made headlines for an unprecedented number of livestock attacks — leading state wildlife officials to euthanize several members.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
Billboard can exclusively announce that Doja Cat will headline the third edition of Move Afrika, in partnership with pgLang and Kendrick Lamar, performing at Rwanda’s BK Arena on March 17 and South Africa’s SunBet Arena on March 20.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2026
The 16-month charter dispute and antitrust battle between NASCAR and team owners, headlined by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin on the team side, resulted in teams getting permanent positions in the sport, if not direct equity in the series itself.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Other shows that would make great gifts Two North Carolina natives co-headline one soulful bill.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 4 Dec. 2025
The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and received the Billboard Legends of Live award for its blockbuster co-headline tour with Def Leppard in 2018, which sold more than 1 million tickets.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for headline
Cite this Entry
“Headline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headline. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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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