plural heads
1
: the upper or anterior division of the animal body that contains the brain, the chief sense organs, and the mouth
nodded his head in agreement
2
3
: the obverse (see obverse entry 2 sense 1) of a coin
—usually used in plural
call heads or tails
4
a
: person, individual
count heads
b
plural head
: one of a number (as of domestic animals)
sold twenty head of cattle
5
a
: the end that is upper or higher or opposite the foot
the head of the table
head of a sail
b
: the source of a stream or river
the head of the Nile
c
: either end of something (such as a drum) whose two ends need not be distinguished
6
a
b
: one in charge of a division or department in an office or institution
the head of the English department
met with the other department heads
7
b
: the foliaged part of a plant especially when consisting of a compact mass of leaves, flowers, or fruit
a head of lettuce
a single head of grain
8
a
: the leading element of a military column or a procession
b
: headway
Often, she had to fight for her head as the press of sail buried her bow.—
C. V. Reilly
C. V. Reilly9
a
: the uppermost extremity or projecting part of an object : top
the head of a bolt
b
: the striking part of a weapon, tool, or implement
the head of an ax
c
: the rounded proximal end of a long bone (such as the humerus)
d
: the end of a muscle nearest the origin
e
: the oval part of a printed musical note
10
a
: a body of water kept in reserve at a height
also
: the containing bank, dam, or wall
b
: a mass of water in motion (as in a rip current)
11
a
: the difference in elevation between two points in a body of fluid
b
: the resulting pressure of the fluid at the lower point expressible as this height
broadly
: pressure of a fluid
an engine with a full head of steam
12
a
: the bow and adjacent parts of a ship
b
: a ship's toilet
broadly
: toilet sense 1
13
: the approximate length of the head of a horse
won by a head
14
: the place of leadership, honor, or command
at the head of her class
15
a(1)
: a word or series of words often in larger letters placed at the beginning of a passage or at the top of a page in order to introduce or categorize
(2)
: a separate part or topic
heads of a sermon
b
: a portion of a page or sheet that is above the first line of printing
16
: the foam or scum that rises on a fermenting or effervescing liquid (such as beer)
17
a
: the part of a boil, pimple, or abscess at which it is likely to break
b
: culminating point of action : crisis
events came to a head
18
a
: a part or attachment of a machine or machine tool containing a device (such as a cutter or drill)
turret head of a lathe
also
: the part of an apparatus that performs the chief function or a particular function
a drill head
b
magnetic recording
: an electromagnet used as a transducer for recording on, reading, or erasing a magnetic medium (such as tape or a disk)
19
grammar
: an immediate constituent of a construction that can have the same grammatical function as the whole (such as man in "an old man," "a very old man," or "the man in the street")
20
a
: one who uses a drug
—often used in combination
pothead
b
: a devoted enthusiast : aficionado
—often used in combination
computerhead
21
usually vulgar
: fellatio, cunnilingus
—usually used with give
1
: of, relating to, or intended for the upper or anterior division of the animal body that contains the brain, the chief sense organs, and the mouth : of, relating to, or intended for the head (see head entry 1 sense 1)
head injuries
3
: located at the end that is upper or higher : situated at the head (see head entry 1 sense 5a)
head sails
4
: coming from in front
head sea
headed; heading; heads
1
: behead
2
a
: to put the striking part of a weapon, tool, or implement on : fit a head (see head entry 1 sense 9b) to
head an arrow
b
: to form the uppermost extremity or projecting part of : to form the head or top of
tower headed by a spire
3
: to act as leader or director of : to act as head (see head entry 1 sense 6) to
head a revolt
4
a
: to get in front of so as to hinder, stop, or turn back
head a herd of cattle
b
: to take a lead over (as in a race) : surpass
c
: to pass (a stream) by going round above the source
5
a
: to place something at the beginning or top of (something) in order to introduce or categorize : to put something at the head of (something, as a list)
Each page was headed with the writer's name.
b
: to stand as the first or leading member of
heads the list of heroes
6
: to set the course of
head a ship northward
7
: to hit and propel (something, such as a soccer ball) with the head (see head entry 1 sense 1)
headed the ball into the goal
1
: to form a compact mass of leaves or fruit : to form a head (see head entry 1 sense 7b)
This type of cabbage heads early.
2
: to point or proceed in a certain direction
headed south
3
: to have a source : originate
The river heads in those mountains.
Phrases
by the head
: drawing the greater depth of water forward
: unable to think in a clear or sensible way : emotionally disturbed or mentally unsound
was off his head on drugs
: delirious
Her parents were out of their heads with worry.
1
: beyond one's comprehension or competence
… the most awful intellectual detail, all of it over my head.—E. B. White
E. B. White2
: so as to pass over one's superior standing or authority
went over my head to complain
Synonyms
Examples of head in a Sentence
Noun
She patted the dog on the head.
He nodded his head in agreement.
The ceiling's low—watch your head!
Adjective
as head editor at the TV station for 17 years, he has seen many news anchors come and go
Verb
The group was headed by the church pastor.
He was accused of heading the revolt.
I hopped in the car and headed down the street.
After lunch, we headed back to the office.
She headed out early this morning.
The birds have already started heading south for the winter.
The forward headed the ball into the goal.
Recent Examples on the WebMike Hutton, Post-Tribune, 19 July 2017
Delimitros said one of the truck’s side view mirrors struck her in the head, causing minor injuries.
—David Hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, 19 July 2017
Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.
—J. Harry Jones, Ramona Sentinel, 19 July 2017
Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.
—John Roach, NOLA.com, 19 July 2017
Turning this on its head, the susceptibility of Bose–
—Thilo Stöferle, Ars Technica, 18 July 2017
Head over to PCWorld’s comprehensive Windows 10 Creators Update review for the full rundown and extensive hands-on impressions, or our round-up of the Creators Update’s best new features.
—Brad Chacos, PCWorld, 17 July 2017
The Senate bill would also require the head of Air Force Space Command to serve for six years, rather than two or four years.
—Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, 15 July 2017
Facing a potential recall, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has a huge head start on anyone who wants to run for his job.
—Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 14 July 2017
Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024
Before departing, the team spotted a woman dressed in a head scarf being led to an ambulance containing three bodies wrapped in sheets, one of them child-sized.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2024
Many are drawing comparisons to Amini, who died in custody of the morality police last year after she was arrested for allegedly wearing her head scarf too loosely.
—Solcyre Burga, TIME, 5 Oct. 2023
Ramos, a 15-year coaching veteran who led the United States U20 team from 2011-19, was most recently head coach of the USL Championship’s Hartford Athletic.
—Joe Eachus, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
Bowman also is the head physician for Vanderbilt University’s sports teams and the Nashville Sounds minor league baseball team.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023
Agents found one skull wrapped in a head scarf and another sitting on a mattress where Nott slept.
—Andrew Wolfson, USA TODAY, 13 July 2023
Rae finished off accessorizing her brown Alo Yoga short-shorts and gray tank with layered necklaces, square sunglasses worn on top of the head scarf and a pair of hoops.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2023
Kinne was previously head coach on the FCS at Incarnate Word, which averaged 51.5 points, nearly 600 yards of offense and more than 70 offensive plays per game in 2022.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 26 July 2023
Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
As of now, the Heat would be headed for Philadelphia to take on Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers in that play-in game as the East’s eighth-place team.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
Most of the eastern U.S. continued to face threats of severe weather Thursday afternoon as a deadly storm system that inflicted immense damage across the Gulf Coast headed north, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and possible tornadoes to the Southeast, mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
After taking on the plastic, fantastic world of Barbie Land, producer Margot Robbie is heading to the rich terrain of Monopoly.
—Variety, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
After checking John Joseph Earley’s Cascading Waterfall off your must-see list, head back to The LINE for dinner and drinks at No Goodbyes (room service is also an option).
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
If the jurors indict him, the case will head to trial.
—The Enquirer, 11 Apr. 2024
But more than half of the goods that arrive in Baltimore in a typical year are headed to more distant spots like Chicago, according to John D. Porcari, former Maryland transportation secretary.
—David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
When asked about the run after the game, Huskies head coach Dan Hurley was complimentary of his team.
—Jacob Lev, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024
Noun
There's always one shot that leaves a golfer shaking his or her head.
—Mike Hutton, Post-Tribune, 19 July 2017
Delimitros said one of the truck’s side view mirrors struck her in the head, causing minor injuries.
—David Hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, 19 July 2017
Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.
—J. Harry Jones, Ramona Sentinel, 19 July 2017
Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.
—John Roach, NOLA.com, 19 July 2017
Turning this on its head, the susceptibility of Bose–
—Thilo Stöferle, Ars Technica, 18 July 2017
Head over to PCWorld’s comprehensive Windows 10 Creators Update review for the full rundown and extensive hands-on impressions, or our round-up of the Creators Update’s best new features.
—Brad Chacos, PCWorld, 17 July 2017
The Senate bill would also require the head of Air Force Space Command to serve for six years, rather than two or four years.
—Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, 15 July 2017
Facing a potential recall, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has a huge head start on anyone who wants to run for his job.
—Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 14 July 2017
Adjective
Mayowa, the shy one, had a head scarf holding back all but a few of his dreadlocks.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024
Before departing, the team spotted a woman dressed in a head scarf being led to an ambulance containing three bodies wrapped in sheets, one of them child-sized.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2024
Many are drawing comparisons to Amini, who died in custody of the morality police last year after she was arrested for allegedly wearing her head scarf too loosely.
—Solcyre Burga, TIME, 5 Oct. 2023
Ramos, a 15-year coaching veteran who led the United States U20 team from 2011-19, was most recently head coach of the USL Championship’s Hartford Athletic.
—Joe Eachus, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
Bowman also is the head physician for Vanderbilt University’s sports teams and the Nashville Sounds minor league baseball team.
—Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023
Agents found one skull wrapped in a head scarf and another sitting on a mattress where Nott slept.
—Andrew Wolfson, USA TODAY, 13 July 2023
Rae finished off accessorizing her brown Alo Yoga short-shorts and gray tank with layered necklaces, square sunglasses worn on top of the head scarf and a pair of hoops.
—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2023
Kinne was previously head coach on the FCS at Incarnate Word, which averaged 51.5 points, nearly 600 yards of offense and more than 70 offensive plays per game in 2022.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 26 July 2023
Verb
Professional cleaners head here for not only supplies but also advice on how to treat specific stains.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
As of now, the Heat would be headed for Philadelphia to take on Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers in that play-in game as the East’s eighth-place team.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
Most of the eastern U.S. continued to face threats of severe weather Thursday afternoon as a deadly storm system that inflicted immense damage across the Gulf Coast headed north, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and possible tornadoes to the Southeast, mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
After taking on the plastic, fantastic world of Barbie Land, producer Margot Robbie is heading to the rich terrain of Monopoly.
—Variety, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
After checking John Joseph Earley’s Cascading Waterfall off your must-see list, head back to The LINE for dinner and drinks at No Goodbyes (room service is also an option).
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
If the jurors indict him, the case will head to trial.
—The Enquirer, 11 Apr. 2024
But more than half of the goods that arrive in Baltimore in a typical year are headed to more distant spots like Chicago, according to John D. Porcari, former Maryland transportation secretary.
—David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
When asked about the run after the game, Huskies head coach Dan Hurley was complimentary of his team.
—Jacob Lev, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'head.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to head
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Dictionary Entries Near head
Cite this Entry
“Head.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
head
1 of 3 noun1
: the upper or front part of the body (as of a human being or an insect) that contains the brain, the chief sense organs, and the mouth
2
a
: mind entry 1 sense 2, understanding
a good head for figures
b
: control of the mind or feelings
kept a level head in time of danger
3
: the side of a coin bearing a head or the major design
4
a
: person sense 1, individual
count heads
b
plural head
: one of a number (as of livestock)
100 head of cattle
5
a
: the end that is upper or higher or opposite the foot
the head of the bed
b
: the uppermost part : top
c
: a skin or something like a thin piece of skin stretched across one or both ends of a drum
6
7
: a compact mass of plant parts (as leaves or flowers)
a head of cabbage
8
a
: the place where a stream begins
b
: the difference in elevation between two points in a body of fluid
c
: the resulting pressure at the lower point
also
: pressure of a fluid
a head of steam
9
10
: the foam that rises on a foaming liquid
11
a
: the part of a boil, pimple, or abscess at which it is likely to break
b
: crisis sense 2
events came to a head
12
: a part of a machine, tool, or weapon that performs the main function
head of a lance
a machine with a grinding head
headship
noun
ˈhed-ˌship
head
3 of 3 verb1
: to form a head
this cabbage heads early
2
: to be or put oneself at the head of : lead
head a revolt
head the list of heroes
3
a
: to get in front of so as to hinder, stop, or turn back
head them off at the pass
b
: to take a lead over (as in a race)
4
: to go or point in a specified course
head for home
head the ship north
Medical Definition
head
noun1
: the division of the human body that contains the brain, the eyes, the ears, the nose, and the mouth
also
: the corresponding anterior division of the body of various animals including all vertebrates, most arthropods, and many mollusks and worms
2
: headache
3
: a projection or extremity especially of an anatomical part: as
a
: the rounded proximal end of a long bone (as the humerus)
b
: the end of a muscle nearest the origin
c
: the anterior end of an invertebrate : scolex
4
: the part of a boil, pimple, or abscess at which it is likely to break
5
: the end of a lipid molecule that consists of a polar group and is regarded as being opposite to the tail
head
adjective
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