Definition of "deadhead" in English

noun

1. A person either admitted to a theatrical or musical performance without charge, or paid to attend.

2. An employee of a transport company, especially a pilot or flight attendant, traveling as a passenger for logistical reasons, for example to return home or travel to the next assignment.

3. Anyone traveling for free, without paying the expected fare.

4. A train or truck moved between cities with no passengers or freight, in order to make it available for service.

5. A person staying at a lodging, such as a hotel or boarding house, without paying rent; freeloader.

6. A stupid or boring person; dullard.

   • 1967, James Jones, Go to the Widow-Maker, Delacorte Press (1967), 72, “Listen, you two deadheads,” he growled at them, more viciously energetic than he meant, and both turned to stare. He softened his tone. “What's going on here, anyway? What kind of a morgue is this? Is this any way to spend my last four days in town? Come on, let's all go out and do something.”

7. A tree or tree branch fixed in the bottom of a river or other navigable body of water, partially submerged or rising nearly the surface, by which boats are sometimes pierced and sunk; snag.

8. (slang) Driftwood.

9. (slang) Alternative form of Deadhead (“fan of the rock band The Grateful Dead”).

10. (slang) A zombie.

verb

1. (transitive) To admit to a performance without charge.

2. (intransitive) To travel as a deadhead, or non-paying passenger.

3. (transitive, intransitive) To drive an empty vehicle.

4. (transitive) To send (a person or message) for free.

   • 1934, Lester Dent (as Kenneth Robeson), Brand Of The Werewolf, A Doc Savage Adventure “I'll deadhead the message for you, Mr. Savage. It won't cost a thing.”

5. (horticulture) (transitive) To remove spent or dead blossoms from a plant.

   • If you deadhead your roses regularly, they will bloom all season.