headmaster

noun

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

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.
Deadline first reported that John Lithgow was nearing final talks for the role of Albus Dumbledore, the aloof yet powerful headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025 Lithgow, 79, confirmed to Screen Rant in an interview published Tuesday he is set to play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025 John Lawlor, the actor who starred on The Facts of Life as the headmaster of Eastland Academy, has died at age 83 — and his former costars paid tribute to his memory amid the news. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025 Actor John Lithgow announced in an interview that he’s set to play Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, in the upcoming series. Callum Booth, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for headmaster

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of headmaster was in 1576

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Cite this Entry

“Headmaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headmaster. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

headmaster

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

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