# heading

/ˈhɛdɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈɛdɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heading
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. text title

noun · CEFR B1

a title or short piece of text at the top of a page or section.

For teachers: the title or topic of a document, article, or chapter, typically formatted to stand out from the body text.

- Please make sure each section of your report has a clear heading.
- The editor suggested using a bold heading for the second chapter to help readers navigate the complex technical data more easily.

### 2. direction

noun · CEFR B2

the direction that a ship, plane, or car is pointing.

For teachers: the compass direction in which a vessel or aircraft is pointed or moving.

- The pilot changed the plane's heading to avoid the storm clouds.
- The navigator maintained a steady heading of 270 degrees, ensuring the vessel stayed on course despite the strong northerly currents.

### 3. mining tunnel

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a tunnel or passage in a mine.

For teachers: a gallery, drift, or adit in a mine, specifically one driven through a solid body of ore or coal.

- The miners worked deep in the new heading to reach the coal vein.
- Structural reinforcements were required along the main heading to prevent a collapse as the team pushed further into the unstable rock formation.

Usage: Commonly used in the context of excavation and resource extraction.

### 4. barrel material

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Archaic

the wood or material used to make the ends of a barrel.

For teachers: material specifically prepared for the construction of the heads of casks or barrels.

- The cooper selected high-quality oak heading for the wine barrels.
- The workshop was filled with stacks of seasoned timber intended for use as heading in the production of traditional watertight casks.

## Examples

- Please write your name under the heading on the first page.
- The report is divided into several sections, each with a clear heading to help readers find information quickly.
- While the primary heading provides a broad overview of the chapter, the subheadings offer a more granular look at the specific arguments presented in each subsection.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.