Head
/hɛd/
Definitions
4 meaningsThe uppermost part of the human body or the front or upper part of the body of an animal, containing the brain, mouth, and sense organs.
/hɛd/
The part of the body above the neck
He shook his head in disbelief.
💡 Simply: Your head is the top part of your body where your brain is! It's like the command center. If you bump your head, you might feel a little confused.
👶 For kids: The part of your body on top of your neck where your brain is!
More Examples
The hat covered his head.
She has a beautiful head of hair.
How It's Used
"The brain is located inside the head."
"She bumped her head on the low ceiling."
A person in charge of an organization or group.
/hɛd/
A leader or chief
The head of the school is the principal.
💡 Simply: The 'head' is the boss! Like the person in charge of the company, or the leader of a group.
👶 For kids: The boss or the person in charge.
More Examples
The company hired a new head of marketing.
She was appointed the head of the project.
How It's Used
"The head of the department announced a new policy."
"The head of state addressed the nation."
The front or forward part of something, or the top part of something.
/hɛd/
The front or top of something
The head of the queue was already entering the building.
💡 Simply: When something's 'head' is mentioned, it's usually the front or the top. Like, the head of a line is the person in the front, or the head of a nail is the part you hit.
👶 For kids: The front or the top of something!
More Examples
The head of the bed was against the wall.
The head of the river is in the mountains.
How It's Used
"The ship's head was pointed towards the north."
"The head of the nail was hammered into the wood."
To move or go in a specified direction.
/hɛd/
To move in a specific direction
We're heading home now.
💡 Simply: To 'head' somewhere means to go there! If you're heading to the park, you're going to the park.
👶 For kids: To go somewhere! Like, "I'm heading home!"
More Examples
The team headed straight for the championship.
The river heads east.
How It's Used
"They headed towards the coast for vacation."
"The ship is heading north."
Idioms & expressions
lose your head
To become confused or upset and unable to think clearly.
"Don't lose your head, just take a deep breath and think."
make headway
To make progress.
"The company is making headway with the project."
keep your head above water
To manage to survive, especially financially.
"With the high cost of living, it's hard to keep your head above water."
From Old English *hēafod*, from Proto-Germanic *haubudą* (compare German Haupt, Dutch hoofd), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱaput- (compare Latin caput, Sanskrit kapā́la-).
The word 'head' has been used in English since the Old English period and has maintained its core meaning related to the body part, leadership, and direction.
Memory tip
Imagine your head as the control center for your body.
Word Origin
"top"