ENGLISH
REFERENCE

head

n. · v. · adj.
US //ˈhɛd// UK //hˈɛd// head
  1. 1 body part (n.)
    A1 Beginner Medicine

    the part of the body that contains the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

    the anatomical region of an animal or human containing the brain and major sensory organs.

    Example

    He wore a warm hat to protect his head from the cold wind.

    Example

    The patient reported a dull ache at the back of the head, radiating toward the neck muscles.
  2. 2 a leader (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the person in charge of a group, school, or organization.

    the person occupying the highest position of authority within a hierarchy.

    Example

    She was appointed as the new head of the marketing department.

    Example

    As the head of the commission, he was responsible for delivering the final report to the prime minister.
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  1. 3 top or front (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the top or front part of something, like a table, a bed, or a page.

    the uppermost or foremost extremity of an object.

    Example

    Write your name clearly at the head of the exam paper.

    Example

    The host sat at the head of the table, presiding over the evening's festivities with quiet confidence.
  2. 4 foam on a drink (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    the white foam on top of a glass of beer.

    the layer of froth or foam that forms on the surface of a fermented beverage.

    Example

    The waiter poured the beer carefully to ensure it had a perfect head.

    Example

    A thick, creamy head is often considered a sign of a well-poured draught ale.
  3. 5 counting individuals (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a way to count animals or people in a group.

    a unit of counting, typically applied to livestock or used in the phrase 'per head' for individuals.

    Example

    The farmer has over fifty head of cattle on his land.

    Example

    The cost of the dinner was calculated at forty dollars per head, including wine and service.
  4. 6 toilet on a ship (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Nautical

    the bathroom or toilet on a boat or ship.

    the latrine or restroom facilities aboard a maritime vessel.

    Example

    The sailor went below deck to use the head before his shift started.

    Example

    The captain ordered the crew to clean the head as part of the weekly inspection routine.
  5. 7 to move toward (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to travel or move in a certain direction.

    to proceed or move in a specified direction. Intransitive, often followed by 'for' or 'towards'.

    Example

    We should head home before it starts to rain.

    Example

    After the conference concluded, the delegates began to head toward the station to catch their respective trains.
  6. 8 to lead (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to be the leader of something or to be at the front of a line.

    to serve as the leader or person in charge of an organization or movement.

    Example

    She was chosen to head the new research project.

    Example

    The CEO will head the delegation during the international trade negotiations in Brussels next month.
  7. 9 to hit with the head (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    to hit a ball with your head, especially in football.

    to strike or propel a ball using the head. Transitive in a sporting context.

    Example

    He managed to head the ball into the net in the final minute.

    Example

    The defender leaped high to head the cross away from the goal, preventing a certain score.

  8. 10 most important (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the most important or highest in rank.

    principal or most important in rank or status. Usually placed before the noun.

    Example

    The head chef is responsible for everything that happens in the kitchen.

    Example

    The head office issued a statement clarifying the company's position on the recent environmental legislation.
Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *kap- Proto-Indo-European *káput- Proto-Germanic *haubudą Old English hēafod Middle English heed English head From Middle English hed heed, from Old English hēafd-, hēafod (“head, top, chief”), from Proto-West Germanic haubud, from Proto-Germanic haubudą (“head”), from Proto-Indo-European *káput. The modern word comes from Old English oblique stem hēafd-; the expected Modern English outcome for hēafod would be *heaved (similar to the Middle English word). Doublet of cape, capo, caput, chef, chief, and Howth. Cognate with Old English hafela (“head”), Scots heid, hede, hevid, heved (“head”), North Frisian hood (“head”), Dutch hoofd (“head”), German Haupt (“head”), Danish hoved (“head”), Faroese høvd, høvur (“head”), Icelandic höfuð (“head”), Norn heved (“head”), Norwegian hode (“head”), hoved- (“head, chief, main, principal”), Swedish huvud (“head”), Latin caput (“head”), Hindi कपाल (kapāl, “skull”), Sanskrit कपाल (kapāla, “skull”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English heed, from Old English hēafod- (“main”), from Proto-West Germanic haubida-, derived from the noun haubid (“head”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian hööft-, West Frisian haad-, Dutch hoofd-, German Low German höövd-, German haupt-.

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