WordGarden.ioheadword
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈhɛdwɜːd/noun
US
- /ˈhɛdwərd/noun
Meanings
Noun
a word used as the entry heading in a dictionary, glossary, or index
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're building a dictionary. Every entry starts with one main word, right? That word, the one being defined, is called the "headword." It is the main focus of the entry. People who study language and people who make dictionaries use this term a lot. You will not usually hear it in everyday conversation, but you will often see it if you work with dictionaries or study English closely. For example, if you look up "serendipity," serendipity is the headword. It is the word the whole entry is about.
The term "headword" refers to the main word for which a dictionary or lexicon provides information—its definition, pronunciation, etymology, and usage examples. Think of it as the anchor of a dictionary entry; everything else in that section relates back to this central term.
While you won't typically use "headword" when chatting with friends, it's crucial terminology within linguistics, lexicography (the art of dictionary-making), and computational linguistics. Researchers analyzing language patterns often refer to headwords as the units they are studying. For example, a corpus linguist might analyze how frequently a particular headword appears in different types of texts.
The concept extends beyond simple definitions. A "compound headword" can be a multi-word term treated as a single entry (like "high school"). Sometimes, entries will list variations of the headword—like plural forms or different verb tenses—under the same main heading.
Essentially, the headword is the foundational element in any dictionary or linguistic database. It's the word that has a definition, rather than being used to define something else. So next time you're flipping through a dictionary, remember: every entry begins with its headword—the star of the show!
Examples
- 1
Dictionary lookup
Look up the headword before you read the full entry.
- 2
Classroom
The teacher wrote the headword on the board and asked the class to suggest related words.
- 3
Learner dictionary
In this learner's dictionary, each headword is followed by simple examples and common phrases.
See also
Similar
- lemma
- entry word
Shades of meaning
- citation form
- base form
Contrast
- definition
- guide word
Used with (collocations)
- dictionary headword
- headword list
- under the headword
Word family
- headwords
Explore
- lexeme
- dictionary entry
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- headwordnoun