headache

/ˌhɛdˈeɪk/

/ˈhɛdeɪk/

Other forms: headaches

A headache is a pain or ache in your head, especially one that lasts longer than a few minutes. You might get a headache after a day of staring at a computer screen.

There are many reasons for getting a headache, from staying up too late to a stressful day to skipping your morning cup of coffee. A more serious type of headache, like a migraine, might keep you home from work for a day, but most headaches are just a nuisance. You can also describe a problem or struggle as a figurative headache: "Learning Danish is turning out to be a real headache." In Old English, the word was heafodece.

Definitions of headache

1. noun

   pain in the head caused by dilation of cerebral arteries or muscle contractions or a reaction to drugs
   synonyms: cephalalgia, head ache

   types:

   cluster headache, histamine headache

   a painful recurring headache associated with the release of histamine from cells

   hemicrania, megrim, migraine, sick headache

   a severe recurring vascular headache; occurs more frequently in women than men

   sick headache

   a headache accompanied by nausea

   sinus headache

   a headache resulting from congestion or infection in the paranasal sinuses

   tension headache

   a headache located at the back of the head; usually caused by body tension resulting from overwork or psychological stress

   type of:

   ache, aching

   a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
2. noun

   something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
   synonyms: concern, vexation, worry

   types:

   bugaboo

   a source of concern

   burden, encumbrance, incumbrance, load, onus

   an onerous or difficult concern

   business

   a rightful concern or responsibility

   dead weight

   an oppressive encumbrance

   fardel

   a burden (figuratively in the form of a bundle)

   imposition

   an uncalled-for burden

   pill

   something unpleasant or offensive that must be tolerated or endured

   type of:

   negative stimulus

   a stimulus with undesirable consequences