Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/the-head/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [T](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/t/) / the head

# the head

phrase (noun phrase, «the head»; plural «the heads»); «head» is also a common noun and verb (head, heads, headed, heading)

«the head» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (jargon, sailors) the toilet on a ship or boat.
2. (ordinary) the top part of the body, with the brain, eyes and mouth.
3. (UK) the head teacher of a school.
4. the leader of a group.

### In the lessons

Sailors, navy and coast-guard people, and boat owners call the toilet «the head», from old ships where it was at the front (the head) of the ship. Elsewhere «head» is an everyday body word and, in the UK, a school word.

### Examples

- (sailing) The head is down the steps, on the left.
- (navy) The sailor was told to clean the heads.
- (boat trip) "Where's the toilet?" "On a boat it's called the head."
- (body) She bumped her head on the door.
- (UK school) Send him to the head!
- (team) The head of the team made the final choice.
- (maths) I tossed a coin and got heads.

### Note

Trap: on land «the head» is the top of the body, the boss or the head teacher — only on boats does it mean the toilet. «Heads» on a coin is the side with a face. Context tells you which.