deadhead

1 of 2

noun

dead·​head ˈded-ˌhed How to pronounce deadhead (audio)
1
: one who has not paid for a ticket
2
: a dull or stupid person
3
: a partially submerged log
4
Deadhead : a devoted fan of the rock group the Grateful Dead
The bond between the [Grateful] Dead and the Deadheads was extraordinary.Bill Barich
5
gardening : a faded blossom on a flowering plant
Pansies are still available for late spring bloom. Keep deadheads off.Edith Henderson

deadhead

2 of 2

verb

deadheaded; deadheading; deadheads

intransitive verb

1
: to make especially a return trip without a load
2
: to deadhead a plant

transitive verb

: to remove the faded flowers of (a plant) especially to keep a neat appearance and to promote reblooming by preventing seed production

Examples of deadhead in a Sentence

Noun people knew that he was a deadhead and voted for him anyway Verb She's out in the garden deadheading the rosebushes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
With their sticky foliage and stems, petunias have never been an enjoyable plant to deadhead. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025 The venue will certainly attract flocks of deadheads, who remain among the most devout fanbases in music. Ethan Millman, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
Flowering in nearly every color of the rainbow, the vibrant and often bi-color blooms are self-cleaning, so there is no need to deadhead plants to keep them blooming. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2025 The new flowers hide old, spent blooms which eventually drop their petals, so there is no need to deadhead. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for deadhead

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1911, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deadhead was in 1841

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Cite this Entry

“Deadhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadhead. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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