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Definition of headman

headman

/ˈhɛd.mən/
head · man
Plural:headmen
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headman Lexical Profile

headman Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The chief, elder, or principal leader of a village, tribe, or traditional community.

Example

"The village headman convened a council of elders to resolve the boundary dispute between the neighboring farms."

2

A workman who supervises a crew of laborers; a foreman or overseer.

Example

"The newly hired miners reported directly to the headman at the start of their morning shift."

3

An official executioner who carries out capital punishment by beheading (historical or archaic).

Example

"Historical records from the Tudor period detail the fees paid to the royal headman for state executions."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for headman

• Nearby Words

headliner
headlock
headlong
headman
headmaster
headmasterly
headmastership

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'heafodmann', meaning 'leader, chief, or patriarch,' formed as a compound of 'heafod' (head) and 'mann' (man).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Headman. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/headman
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