headword
/ˈhɛdˌwɜrd/
noun
- A word that begins a separate entry in a dictionary, glossary, or index, usually printed in bold or a larger font.
- In the dictionary, each headword is followed by its pronunciation and definition.
- The student looked up the headword 'photosynthesis' in the glossary.
- The index lists every headword along with the page numbers where it appears.