SKIP TO CONTENT

headword

/ˌhɛdˈwʌrd/
/ˈhɛdwəd/
IPA guide

Other forms: headwords

Definitions of headword
  1. noun
    a word placed at the beginning of a line or paragraph (as in a dictionary entry)
    see moresee less
    type of:
    word
    a unit of language that native speakers can identify
  2. noun
    a content word that can be qualified by a modifier
    synonyms: head word
    see moresee less
    type of:
    content word, open-class word
    a word to which an independent meaning can be assigned
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘headword'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family