headmaster

English

Etymology

From head +‎ master.

Pronunciation

  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈhɛdˌmæstɚ/
  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈhɛdˌmɑːstə/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • Rhymes: -æstə(ɹ), -ɑːstə(ɹ)
  • Hyphenation: head‧mas‧ter

Noun

headmaster (plural headmasters)

  1. (chiefly UK, Ireland) A male headteacher.
    Synonym: (US, Canada) principal
    Coordinate terms: headmistress, headteacher

Usage notes

  • The term is gender-specific, and refers to a male in the position. A female in the same role would be called a headmistress. In the United States, the shortened version of 'master' was used in few universities to refer to the faculty leader of a residential space regardless of gender.

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