headword

Word parts

head + word

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈhɛdwɜːd/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈhɛdwɝd/

Noun

Singular headword

Plural headwords

1. A word that is used as the title of a section, especially in a dictionary, encyclopedia, or thesaurus.
2. (countable) A headword is the word under which a set of related dictionary or encyclopedia entries appears.
3. (grammar) The headword of a phrase is the most important word in the phrase.

Synonyms

• head
• lemma