Heading
'hedɪŋ
Definitions
3 meaningsThe title of a piece of writing or a section of a document.
'hedɪŋ
A title or summary at the beginning of a text or section.
The heading of the email was 'Meeting Agenda'.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're reading a book, the heading is the big title at the top of a chapter. It tells you what that part is about. For example, 'How to Bake a Cake' would be the heading for a chapter with a cake recipe.
👶 For kids: The name at the top of a story or section of writing.
More Examples
Make sure the heading is clear and concise.
The chapter heading introduces the topic discussed.
How It's Used
"The newspaper article had a catchy heading."
"The report's heading was "Quarterly Financial Results"."
The direction in which something is pointed or moving.
'hedɪŋ
The direction in which something is moving or facing.
The ship's heading was east.
💡 Simply: If you're on a bike and you turn the handlebars, you change the heading—the direction you're going. Like, 'I'm changing my heading towards the park.'
👶 For kids: The way something is going or facing.
More Examples
The pilot corrected the plane's heading.
We checked the heading of the road on the map.
How It's Used
"The ship changed its heading to avoid the storm."
"The pilot adjusted the heading of the plane."
To move or go in a particular direction.
'hedɪŋ
To go or move in a specified direction.
We are heading to the beach this weekend.
💡 Simply: It's like saying 'We're going'. If you're walking to school, you're heading to school. 'I'm heading to the ice cream shop after this!'
👶 For kids: To go somewhere.
More Examples
The bus is heading downtown.
The discussion is heading in a new direction.
How It's Used
"The car was heading towards the city."
"We are heading home now."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
lose one's heading
To become confused or disoriented; to lose one's sense of direction (literally or figuratively).
"After the accident, the driver seemed to lose her heading, driving erratically."
From Middle English *hedyng*, from Old English *heafodung* ('a head, beginning, chief part'), from *heafod* ('head').
The word 'heading' has been used since the early Middle Ages and has consistently referred to the top of a piece of text or a direction of travel.
Memory tip
Think of the heading as the *head* of the information.
Word Origin
"head, beginning, chief part"