arrowhead: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Technical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “arrowhead” mean?
The pointed tip of an arrow, typically made from a hard material like stone, metal, or bone, designed to penetrate a target.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The pointed tip of an arrow, typically made from a hard material like stone, metal, or bone, designed to penetrate a target.
Any triangular shape resembling this tip, such as a plant leaf, a symbol in diagrams, or a military formation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral; connotations depend on context: archaeology/history (artefact), weaponry (tool), symbolism (direction).
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, appearing in similar specialised contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “arrowhead” in a Sentence
[Verb] + arrowhead (e.g., find, carve, attach)arrowhead + [Preposition] + [Noun] (e.g., arrowhead of flint, arrowhead from the site)[Adjective] + arrowhead (e.g., Neolithic, bifacial)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arrowhead” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The battalion will arrowhead towards the strategic bridge.
- The new policy is designed to arrowhead our economic recovery.
American English
- The marketing campaign will arrowhead the product launch.
- The division arrowheaded the assault on the enemy position.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- The team adopted an arrowhead formation for the final push.
- She drew an arrowhead pointer on the diagram.
American English
- They marched in an arrowhead pattern through the valley.
- Look for the arrowhead fern growing near the stream.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear metaphorically in strategy ("the arrowhead of our market penetration") or as a brand/logo description.
Academic
Common in archaeology, anthropology, history, and military history to describe artefacts and tactical formations.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used when discussing history, museums, or finding artefacts. Also for describing a triangular shape ("an arrowhead leaf").
Technical
Used in botany (leaf shape), military science (formation), cartography (map symbol), and graphic design (cursor/icon).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arrowhead”
- Misspelling as 'arrowhed' or 'arrow head' (as two words is less standard).
- Using it to mean the entire arrow.
- Pronouncing it with equal stress on all syllables (/ærəʊ'hɛd/) instead of primary stress on the first syllable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, compound word: 'arrowhead'. The hyphenated form 'arrow-head' is archaic.
Yes, but it is rare and metaphorical, meaning 'to lead or spearhead (an attack, movement, etc.)'. This usage is more common in military or strategic contexts.
Both are projectile points. An arrowhead is specifically designed to be attached to the shaft of an arrow and propelled from a bow. A spearhead is larger, heavier, and designed for a hand-thrown or thrust spear.
It is a low-frequency, specific noun. Its primary meaning belongs to specialised fields (archaeology), and its figurative uses require a good understanding of metaphorical extension based on shape and function.
The pointed tip of an arrow, typically made from a hard material like stone, metal, or bone, designed to penetrate a target.
Arrowhead is usually formal, academic, technical, literary in register.
Arrowhead: in British English it is pronounced /ˈær.əʊ.hed/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈer.oʊ.hed/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms directly use 'arrowhead'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: An ARROW has a HEAD. The HEAD is the sharp, pointy part at the front.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHAPE IS FUNCTION: A triangular shape is conceptualised as a penetrating, directional, leading point (e.g., 'the arrowhead of the advance').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'arrowhead' LEAST likely to be used in its primary sense?