Definition of "head" in English

noun

1. (countable) 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.

2. (countable) The topmost, foremost, or leading part.

   • What does it say at the head of the page?

3. The topmost, foremost, or leading part.

4. (social, countable, metonymic) A leader or expert.

   • I'd like to speak to the head of the department.
   • Police arrested the head of the gang in a raid last night.

5. A significant or important part.

6. Headway; progress.

   • We are having a difficult time making head against this wind.

7. Topic; subject.

   • We will consider performance issues under the head of future improvements.

8. (only in the singular) Denouement; crisis.

   • These issues are going to come to a head today.
   • The indiſpoſition which has long hung upon me, is at laſt grown to ſuch an head, that it muſt quickly make an end of me, or of itſelf.

9. (fluid dynamics) Pressure and energy.

10. (slang, vulgar, uncountable) Fellatio or cunnilingus; oral sex.

    • She gave great head.
    • Danny got head last night.

11. (slang) The glans penis.

12. (slang, countable) A heavy or habitual user of illicit drugs.

13. (obsolete) Power; armed force.

adjective

1. Of, relating to, or intended for the head.

verb

1. (transitive) To be in command of. (See also head up.)

   • Who heads the board of trustees?
   • to head an army, an expedition, or a riot

2. (transitive) To come at the beginning or front of; to commence.

   • A group of clowns headed the procession.
   • The most important items headed the list.

3. (transitive) To strike with the head

   • to head the ball

4. (intransitive) To move in a specified direction.

   • We are going to head up North for our holiday.
   • We will head off tomorrow.
   • Next holiday we will head out West, or head to Chicago.
   • Right now I need to head into town to do some shopping.