The principal or main administrator of a school, especially in British schools; the teacher in charge of the entire institution.
A compound of 'head' and 'master,' literally meaning 'the master who is head.' This title emerged in British education, combining the hierarchical concept of 'head' (chief) with 'master' (teacher or authority figure).
The title 'headmaster' reveals how British schools were structured—they used the word 'master' for teachers because education was once entirely male-dominated, and the head master was the supreme male authority in the building.
Historically, 'headmaster' was the male-only title for school leaders; 'headmistress' applied to women as a subordinate category, reflecting institutional sexism in education.
Use 'headmaster/headmistress' or gender-neutral 'school principal' or 'head of school' as standard.
["principal","head of school","school leader"]
Women educators fought throughout the 20th century for equal authority; today's gender-neutral titles reflect their successful challenge to gendered hierarchy.
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