headmaster

head-mas-ter · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The male principal or chief administrator of a school, especially a private school.

  2. 2.

    (British) The head of any school, regardless of gender (though "headteacher" is now more common for gender-neutral usage).

Forms

plural: headmasters

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    headmaster's office — the principal's office, often where students are sent for discipline

Related words

See also: headmistress, principal, school, teacher
Synonyms: head teacher, principal, schoolmaster

Etymology

A compound of head (meaning "chief" or "leader") and master (meaning "teacher" or "one in authority"). First used in the 16th century.