headache

noun
head·​ache | \ ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio) \

Definition of headache

1 : pain in the head
2 : a vexatious or baffling situation or problem meetings had become a giant headache— Franklin Foer

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Other Words from headache

headachy or less commonly headachey \ ˈhed-​ˌā-​kē How to pronounce headachey (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms for headache

Synonyms

bear, beast, chore, job, killer, labor

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

West Nile symptoms appear three to 14 days after infection and include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches and weakness and a rash. Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, "West Nile Virus found in Weld County mosquitoes," 2 Aug. 2019 Early signs of infection include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness, according to the CDC. Jamie Ducharme, Time, "Maine Confirmed Its First Case of a Rare Tick-Borne Virus in Years. Here's What to Know About Powassan," 25 July 2019 Symptoms of the virus, known also as Triple E, can be systemic or the result of swelling in the brain, including fever, headache, irritability and even coma, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Cristóbal Reyes, orlandosentinel.com, "Mosquitos-borne illnesses threaten Orange residents, health officials warn," 24 July 2019 Short-term symptoms in healthy people can include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Kate Gibson, CBS News, "Egg salad and sandwiches sold at Target recalled for listeria," 22 July 2019 In otherwise healthy people, listeria monocytogenes can cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, according to the FDA. Sheila Vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Manufacturer recalls salads, sandwiches sold at Target, Fresh Market due to health risk," 21 July 2019 Listeria can cause symptoms including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Chris Morris, Fortune, "75 Different Hummus and Dips Recalled on Listeria Fears. See the Full List," 17 July 2019 Approximately one in five people who are infected with the virus will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al.com, "Case of West Nile virus reported in Boaz," 12 July 2019 For those who do, the onset of St. Louis encephalitis illness usually is abrupt, with fever, headache, dizziness, nausea and malaise. Stephanie Innes, azcentral, "Watch out for West Nile virus: cases are up in the Valley and the season has barely begun," 8 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'headache.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of headache

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

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More Definitions for headache

headache

noun

English Language Learners Definition of headache

: an ache or pain in the head
: a difficult or annoying situation or problem

headache

noun
head·​ache | \ ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio) \

Kids Definition of headache

1 : pain in the head
2 : something that annoys or confuses This traffic is a real headache.

headache

noun
head·​ache | \ ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio) \

Medical Definition of headache

: pain in the head

called also cephalalgia

Other Words from headache

headachy \ -​ˌā-​kē How to pronounce headachy (audio) \ adjective

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