headword

Noun

A word that introduces an entry in a dictionary or encyclopedia.
a content word that can be qualified by a modifier
a word placed at the beginning of a line or paragraph (as in a dictionary entry)
A word (or compound term) used as the title of a list entry or section, particularly in a dictionary, encyclopedia, or thesaurus.
The head of a phrase.

Examples

Every Scrabble player dreams of finding obscure HEADWORD entries to surprise opponents.
In "a very discerning car shopper", "shopper" is the headword.

Origin / Etymology

From head + word. Compare West Frisian haadwurd (“noun, substantive, headword”), Dutch hoofdwoord (“headword”), German Hauptwort (“noun, substantive, headword”), Swedish huvudord (“headword, keyword”).

Synonyms

head word

Scrabble Score: 16

headword: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
headword: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
headword: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

headword: valid Words With Friends Word