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Definition of headword

headword

/ˈhɛd.wɝːd/
head · word
Plural:headwords
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headword Lexical Profile

headword Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A word or phrase placed at the beginning of an entry in a dictionary, glossary, or encyclopedia to identify the item being defined or discussed.

Example

"Each dictionary entry begins with a bolded headword followed by its pronunciation and part of speech."

2

In grammar, the central word in a phrase or construction that determines the syntactic category and meaning of the whole phrase.

Example

"In the noun phrase 'the tall wooden tower,' the noun 'tower' functions as the grammatical headword."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

headway
headwear
headwind
headword
headwork
headwrap
heady

Cite this Entry

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