What does head mean?
Head is a highly versatile English word whose basic meaning is the upper part of the body, including the brain, face, and sensory organs. From this physical sense, it extends naturally to the top or foremost part of an object, the beginning of a list or course, and the person who leads an organization. It can also refer to the mind or intellectual faculties, as in "use your head." When used as a verb, head means to move or travel in front, to lead, to begin, or to direct a course of action. The adjective use, especially visible in British English in phrases such as "head coach," identifies the chief or principal person in a role. These meanings are connected by the idea of something being at the top, front, or most important position. Because of this wide range, head appears in political, everyday, literary, and technical contexts, making it one of English's most useful and adaptable nouns.
The upper part of the human body, containing the brain and the main sensory organs; also, the top, front, or leading part of something, or a person in charge.
"He rested his head against the cold window."
The word can refer metaphorically to the mind, as in "keep your head," and to a leader, as in "the head of the department."
To move or travel in front of someone or something; to lead or be in charge of a group or undertaking.
"A police motorcycle headed the procession through the city."
In the sense of beginning, it is commonly used with activities and journeys: "The committee headed the inquiry," or "They headed toward the coast."
Chief or principal, especially the person holding the highest position in a group or activity.
"The club appointed a new head coach."
This use is especially common in British English and is normally placed before a noun.
In the direction of; toward or in front.
"We left the station and headed north."
This use is common in expressions such as "head home," "head for the coast," and "head north."
The regular plural is heads. Depending on context, it can refer to multiple people, individual opinions or thoughts, or the upper or front ends of objects.
"The two departments disagreed on several important heads."
The word head has ancient Germanic relatives, including German Haupt and Dutch hoofd, all pointing back to a shared word for the uppermost or most important part.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does head come from?
The word comes from Old English hēafod, an inherited Germanic word with close relatives such as German Haupt, Dutch hoofd, Danish hoved, and Swedish huvud. These forms belong to a common Proto-Germanic term associated with the uppermost or foremost part of the body. The later meanings "chief person" and "beginning" developed by extension from the physical sense, while the verb meanings follow the idea of being at the front or in charge.
Related word forms
How head is actually used
The word is fully standard in formal and informal English in both British and American usage. As a noun, it can denote a leader, the foremost part of a group, or the mind; as a verb, it commonly means to lead or move in front. In phrases such as "head north" and "head home," it functions adverbially.