Definition of "headhunter" in English

noun

1. (anthropology) A person who practises headhunting, the taking and preserving of a person's head after killing them.

2. (business) One who recruits skilled personnel, especially executive-level ones, for a company.

   • Near-synonyms: recruiter, talent scout
   • A headhunter called me out of the blue with an offer I couldn't refuse.

3. (baseball) A pitcher who throws at the batter's head.

   • Thankfully, there aren't many headhunters in the modern game.

4. (ice hockey) A player who uses a hockey stick to attempt to strike an opponent's head.

   • He is known as a goon and a headhunter.