headline

plural headlines · alternative head-line · alternative head line

1. A rope.
   1. obsoletenauticalAny of various type of rope used to attach a sail to a yard.First known use 13th–19th c.
   2. nauticalA rope or chain used to attach the bow of a vessel to the shore or to another vessel.First known use 19th c.
   3. A rope tied to the head of an animal.First known use 19th c.
2. A line, and related senses.
   1. usuallypalmistryA line stretching diagonally across the palm, said to represent mental or intellectual matters.First known use 16th c.
   2. CanadaUSarchaicThe boundary line of a piece of land, used as a reference in surveying etc.First known use 17th c.
   3. historicalmediaA line drawn across the head of a page, for the title, page number, etc.; also more generally, the space at the top of a page in which this information is positioned.First known use 18th c.

      He held out his copybook. The word Sums was written on the headline.

      1922 February 2, James Joyce, “[Episode 2: Nestor]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company […], →OCLC, part I [Telemachia], page 26

   4. journalismA heading or title at the top of a page or section of text; especially, a brief line in large letters summarising or drawing attention to the following article or similar in a magazine or newspaper.First known use 18th c.

      The headline on today's newspaper reads "John Doe Wins Wood-Splitting Competition."

      2 more examples

      Say that you'll never, never, never, never need it One headline, why believe it? Everybody wants to rule the world

      1985, Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley, Chris Hughes, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, in Songs from the Big Chair, performed by Tears for Fears

      From tabloid headlines insisting that coffee causes cancer (yesterday, of course, it cured it) to stern government warnings about alcohol and driving, the world is teeming with goblins.

      2013 June 22, “Snakes and ladders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 76

      Synonyms: hed, lead

   5. entertainmentThe top-billed attraction; a headliner.

present singular third person headlines · participle present headlining · participle past headlined · past headlined · alternative head-line · alternative head line

1. To give a headline to a page or section of a text.

   Once again I take typewriter in hand to express my opinion on two very different issues. Good luck in deciding what to headline this letter.

   1974 February 2, Charles Bonnell, “Typewriter In Hand”, in Gay Community News, volume 1, number 32, page 4

2. intransitivetransitiveentertainmentTo present as the main attraction; to have top billing, to be the main attraction.