title entry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “title entry” mean?
The entry for a word, phrase, or concept as it appears at the beginning of a dictionary definition, typically in bold or headword format.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The entry for a word, phrase, or concept as it appears at the beginning of a dictionary definition, typically in bold or headword format.
1. The word or phrase itself which is being defined in a reference work. 2. In library science, the catalog entry for a published work under its title (as opposed to author or subject).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. British English may be more likely to use the synonymous term 'headword' in non-specialist contexts.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in general use; common within lexicography, publishing, and library science.
Grammar
How to Use “title entry” in a Sentence
The [dictionary/catalogue] contains a title entry for X.You will find X under its title entry.To locate the book, search by its title entry.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “title entry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The lexicographer must carefully title-entry each new headword.
- We need to title-entry these technical terms for the glossary.
American English
- The editor will title-entry the new slang terms.
- The software automates how we title-entry compounds.
adverb
British English
- The words are listed title-entry alphabetically.
- The data was processed title-entry by the software.
American English
- The catalogue is organised title-entry first.
- The index sorts references title-entry.
adjective
British English
- The title-entry format follows strict house style.
- We noticed a title-entry inconsistency in the appendix.
American English
- The title-entry information includes pronunciation and part of speech.
- Check the title-entry style guide for abbreviations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in publishing or database management to refer to a product listing.
Academic
Common in linguistics, lexicography, and library science papers discussing the structure of reference works.
Everyday
Very rare. A layperson would simply say "look it up in the dictionary" or "the dictionary word".
Technical
Standard term in lexicography for the formatted headword and its immediate grammatical information.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “title entry”
- Using 'title' alone to mean 'title entry' in technical contexts.
- Pronouncing 'entry' as /ˈɛntəri/ instead of /ˈɛntri/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In lexicography, they are often used synonymously, though 'title entry' can be slightly broader, encompassing the headword plus its immediate grammatical labels and homonym numbers.
Yes, in the context of library, archive, or media databases, a 'title entry' is the catalogue record for a film, book, or other work, accessed by its title.
It should be the term in bold, followed by its part of speech, and then the definition. Ensure it is alphabetized and consistent in style with other entries.
A 'main entry' is the primary, most complete record for an item, often under the author's name. A 'title entry' is a specific type of main or added entry where the item is filed under its title.
The entry for a word, phrase, or concept as it appears at the beginning of a dictionary definition, typically in bold or headword format.
Title entry is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Title entry: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪtl ˌɛntri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪtl̩ ˌɛntri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To get top billing”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a book's TITLE on its cover. A TITLE ENTRY is how that title, or any word, gets its own 'cover page' inside a dictionary or catalogue.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DICTIONARY IS A MAP; a title entry is a named location on that map.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'title entry' most precisely and frequently used?