header

noun

head·​er ˈhe-dər 

1

: one that removes heads

especially : a grain-harvesting machine that cuts off the grain heads and elevates them to a wagon

2

a

: a brick or stone laid in a wall with its end toward the face of the wall

b

: a beam fitted at one side of an opening to support free ends of floor joists, studs, or rafters

c

: a horizontal structural or finish piece over an opening : lintel

d

: a conduit (such as an exhaust pipe for a many-cylindered engine) into which a number of smaller conduits open

e

: a mounting plate through which electrical terminals pass from a sealed device (such as a transistor)

3

informal : a fall or dive headfirst

took a header into the pool

4

: a shot or pass in soccer made by heading the ball

5

a

: head sense 15a(1)

b

: information (such as a page number) printed or placed at the top of each page of a document compare footer sense 2

Synonyms of header

• title
• caption
• heading
• headline

Examples of header in a Sentence

She tripped on the rock and took a header.

He scored with a header past the goalie.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mendy put Cagliari ahead with a header after 16 seconds and added a second after eight minutes. —ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026

Physical connectors, like USB headers, are also strong enough for general use, even with reduced solder and pin material. —Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026

Dreyer lobbed a pass that Marcus Ingvartsen booted home, capitalizing on Christopher McVey’s header attempt. —Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

Eight minutes later, defender Kennedy Wesley carried her momentum from a standout USWNT camp last week, scoring a stunning header off a corner kick to equalize. —Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing header

• triple-header

Rhymes for header

• cheddar
• pedder
• redder
• shredder
• spreader

Kids Definition

header

noun

head·​er ˈhed-ər 

: a fall or dive headfirst

took a header downstairs