the large title at the top of a newspaper or online article that tells you what the story is about
I only needed to read the headline to know the story was important.
The magazine used a bright red headline to grab readers’ attention.
✦ head + line: first recorded in the 1890s when newspapers began printing large titles above stories.
(usually plural) the most important news stories, announced briefly at the start of a broadcast or talked about generally
The morning news opened with the world headlines.
Space exploration made today’s headlines across all major networks.
to be the main performer or most important attraction at a show, event, or festival
The famous singer will headline the charity concert tonight.
Three local bands are set to headline the summer festival.
✦ extended from the noun sense: the performer whose name appears in the largest type (the “headline”) on posters and programs.
