headache

noun

head·​ache ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio)
Synonyms of headachenext
1
: pain in the head
2
: a vexatious or baffling situation or problem
… meetings had become a giant headache.—Franklin Foer
headachy adjective
or less commonly headachey
ˈhed-ˌā-kē How to pronounce headache (audio)

Synonyms of headache

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Examples of headache in a Sentence

I'm starting to get a headache. The symptoms include fever and headache. The city's biggest headache is traffic. Managing your finances can be a real headache.
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.
In May 2021, Noora Lewis — a 63-year-old from Birmingham, England — visited a general practitioner at Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre after experiencing symptoms like headaches, jaw aches, tender temples and pain on the right side of her face. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Other symptoms may include headache, nausea and loss of appetite. — Kimberly Baker, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 As brokers have said again and again, most buyers these days don’t really want to deal with the headaches and costs of renovations. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026 That’s creating a headache for Wall Street, CNBC’s Laya Neelakandan writes. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for headache

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of headache was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing headache

Rhymes for headache

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Browse Nearby Words

head
headache
headache plant
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Cite this Entry

“Headache.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headache. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

headache

noun
head·​ache ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio)
1
: pain in the head
2
: an annoying or baffling situation or problem
headachy
-ˌā-kē How to pronounce headache (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

headache

noun
head·​ache ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio)
: pain in the head

called also cephalalgia

headachy
-ˌā-kē How to pronounce headache (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on headache

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about headache

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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