head
Looking for the meaning of head? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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The part of the body of an animal or human which contains the brain, mouth and main sense organs.
“Be careful when you pet that dog on the head; it may bite.”
The topmost, foremost, or leading part.
“What does it say at the head of the page?”
(social, metonymy) A leader or expert.
A significant or important part.
Headway; progress.
“We are having a difficult time making head against this wind.”
Topic; subject.
“We will consider performance issues under the head of future improvements.”
Denouement; crisis.
“These isses are going to come to a head today.”
(fluid dynamics) Pressure and energy.
Fellatio or cunnilingus; oral sex.
“She gave great head.”
The glans penis.
A heavy or habitual user of illicit drugs.
Power; armed force.
To be in command of. (See also head up.)
“Who heads the board of trustees?”
To come at the beginning of; to commence.
“A group of clowns headed the procession.”
To strike with the head; as in soccer, to head the ball
To move in a specified direction.
“How does the ship head?”
To remove the head from a fish.
“The salmon are first headed and then scaled.”
To originate; to spring; to have its course, as a river.
To form a head.
“This kind of cabbage heads early.”
To form a head to; to fit or furnish with a head.
“to head a nail”
To cut off the top of; to lop off.
“to head trees”
To behead; to decapitate.
To go in front of.
“to head a drove of cattle”
To get in the front of, so as to hinder or stop; to oppose.
“The wind headed the ship and made progress difficult.”
(by extension) To check or restrain.
To set on the head.
“to head a cask”
Of, relating to, or intended for the head.
Understanding "head"
The word **"head"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/hɛd/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"head"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "head" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "head" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "head" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /hɛd/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "head" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "head" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "head" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "head". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/hɛd/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "head" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use head in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "head" can be used in academic and casual conversations.