Headed

ˈhɛdɪd

verbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To move or direct oneself or something else in a specific direction.

ˈhɛdɪd

verbneutralBeginner
General

To be going in a particular direction or towards a specific place or goal.

We are headed home.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're walking somewhere. 'Headed' is like saying you're going in that direction. For example, 'I'm headed to the park' means you're going to the park.

👶 For kids: When something is 'headed', it's going that way, like a car driving down the road.

More Examples

2

The ship was headed straight into the storm.

3

The meeting is headed by the CEO.

4

She's headed for a promotion.

How It's Used

Travel

"The train is headed towards London."

Business

"The company is headed towards bankruptcy."

2

To be in charge of; to lead.

ˈhɛdɪd

verbneutralmedium
General

To be in charge or lead.

The department is headed by a senior manager.

💡 Simply: 'Headed' can mean being the boss or leader. Like, if you're 'headed the project,' you're in charge of it.

👶 For kids: When someone is 'headed' a group, they are like the leader, making sure everyone does things.

More Examples

2

He is headed the investigation.

3

Who is headed this team?

4

The article was headed with a misleading title.

How It's Used

Management

"She is headed the marketing team."

Government

"The committee is headed by the senator."

Tip:Think of the leader (the 'head') guiding the group.
3

Having a specified type of head or top, particularly used in descriptive contexts.

ˈhɛdɪd

adjectiveneutralAdvanced
General

Having a specified head or top.

The club headed up with a team of enthusiastic volunteers.

💡 Simply: 'Headed' can describe things that have a certain type of head, like a flower with a special kind of top.

👶 For kids: When something is 'headed', it has a special top part. Like a flower that has a big 'head' made up of lots of petals.

More Examples

2

This species presents a well-headed flower.

3

The structure was designed as a well-headed monument.

4

The argument's headed argument for the thesis.

How It's Used

Botany

"A flower with a large, showy, headed inflorescence."

Architecture

"The structure featured a uniquely headed column."

Tip:Relate the word to physical structures or plants where the top section (the head) is significant.

Idioms & expressions

head for

To move or travel towards a destination; to be destined for.

"They are heading for the coast this weekend."

head up

To lead or be in charge of something.

"She will head up the new project."

From Middle English hedded, past participle of heden (to head), from Old English hēafod (head).

In older texts, 'headed' often appeared in phrases describing physical movement and direction or in contexts where leadership or control was implied.

Memory tip

Think of a boat headed towards an island. The head (front) of the boat is directing the movement.

headdedhededhedded

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written