headmaster

1 of 2

noun (1)

head·​mas·​ter ˈhed-ˌma-stər How to pronounce headmaster (audio)
-ˈma-
Synonyms of headmasternext
: a man heading the staff of a private school : principal
headmasterly
ˈhed-ˌma-stər-lē How to pronounce headmaster (audio)
-ˈma-
adjective
headmastership
ˈhed-ˌma-stər-ˌship How to pronounce headmaster (audio)
-ˈma-
noun

headmastership

2 of 2

noun (2)

head·​mas·​ter·​ship -ˌship How to pronounce headmastership (audio)
: the post of a headmaster

Examples of headmaster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Other cast members include John Lithgow, who plays Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore, Janet McTeer, who is Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu plays Snape, Bel Powley is Aunt Petunia, and Nick Frost has been cast as Rubeus Hagrid. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026 There, the producers were running the show and Andy was kind of like the kindly headmaster, but none of that was there now. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026 She was cast as Athena, the class ‘troublemaker’ was Odysseus, and the school’s headmaster bumbled around, one-eyed, as the Cyclops. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 17 July 2026 Season 2 will once again explore the complicated friendship between pickpocketing genius Gabriel (Lucas Leach) and Penelope (Carmel Laniado), who is the daughter of Crookhaven School headmaster Caspian Lockett (Dougray Scott). — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for headmaster

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1576, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1715, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of headmaster was in 1576

Rhymes for headmaster

See All Rhymes for headmaster

Browse Nearby Words

headmark
headmaster
headmasterly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Headmaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headmaster. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

headmaster

noun
head·​mas·​ter -ˌmas-tər How to pronounce headmaster (audio)
-ˈmas-
: a male head of a private school

More from Merriam-Webster on headmaster

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for headmaster

Nglish: Translation of headmaster for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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