topline

plural toplines

1. The upper curvature of a horse's or dog's withers, back, and loin.

   When viewing the horse in profile, attention must be paid to the curvature and proportions of the topline.

   2002, Ted S. Stashak, Ora Robert Adams, Adams' Lameness in Horses, page 75

2. attributiveoftenTop billing.

   In recent weeks Cosby has, perhaps more than any other topline entertainer of the moment, been both at the pinnacle and at the crossroads.

   1969 July, Ebony, volume 24, number 9, page 146

3. attributiveoftenThe first line, the topmost-ranking line; the most important thing.

   topline takeaways

   1 more example

   Near-synonyms: (in attributive uses) TLDR, BLUF, bottom-line, bottom line

   Synonyms: TLDR, BLUF, bottom-line, bottom line

4. The edge that runs along the top of the opening of a shoe.
5. entertainmentThe vocal parts of a piece of music (particularly pop).

present singular third person toplines · participle present toplining · participle past toplined · past toplined

1. transitiveTo bill (a performer) as the primary entertainer in a production.

   A popular series of musical shorts he made for Mack Sennett's company in 1930 added to his success as a radio vocalist, and had made him a star by the end of 1931, when Paramount toplined him in The Big Broadcast […]

   1983, John Kobal, A History of Movie Musicals: Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance, page 147

2. ambitransitiveTo be billed as the primary entertainer in (a production).

   Over the next few years he toplined three "Encores!" productions […]

   2009, Robert Viagas, I'm the Greatest Star

   2 more examples

   [Whitney] Houston's success in music led her to topline the features "Waiting to Exhale," "The Preacher's Wife" and the telefilm "Cinderella."

   Variety https://web.archive.org/web/20120216113023/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118050123?refCatId=16

   Although occasionally he toplined in a “B” picture, he found his greatest achievements were as a character actor.

   2006, Everett Aaker, Encyclopedia of Early Television Crime Fighters, page 418

3. transitive(music) To compose and/or sing the vocal part of a song (particularly pop).