WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
head•hunt•er
(hed′hun′tər),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- a person who engages in headhunting.
- Businessa personnel recruiter for a corporation or executive recruitment agency.
- an executive recruitment agency.
- head + hunter 1850–55
head•hunt•ing /ˈhɛdˌhʌntɪŋ/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Anthropology(among certain tribal peoples) the practice of cutting off and preserving the heads of enemies as trophies.
- Businessthe recruiting of executives for corporations.
head•hunt•ing
(hed′hun′ting),USA pronunciation n.
- Anthropology(among certain primitive peoples) the practice of hunting down and decapitating victims and preserving their heads as trophies.
- Businessthe act or practice of actively searching for new employees, esp. for professionals or executives:Every June the electronics manufacturers go headhunting among the newly graduated engineers.
- Businessthe act or practice of firing without cause, esp. someone disliked:Their periodic headhunting was a contributing factor in the company's failures.
- the act or practice of trying to destroy the power, position, or influence of one's competitors or foes:Headhunting is ferocious in advertising.
- head + hunting 1850–55