subject-heading

subject-heading

A librarian organizes books using a subject-heading system.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Category label in information systems: A "subject-heading" is a standardized word or phrase used in library catalogs, databases, or indexes to describe the main topic of a document, book, or other resource. It helps users locate materials by subject.
Usage Examples
  • (A standardized label for the topic.)
  • (A specific phrase that serves as a search term.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to assign a subject-heading": to give a document a formal topic label.

    • The cataloger assigned a subject-heading to each new book. (The librarian added a standard topic identifier.)
  • "subject-heading list": a controlled vocabulary of approved subject terms.

    • The library uses the Library of Congress Subject Headings as its subject-heading list. (A standard set of official terms.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Subject (n): the topic or theme of a work.

    • The subject of the novel is love. (The main topic.)
  • Heading (n): a title or label at the top of a section or entry.

    • The heading of the chapter is "Introduction." (The section title.)
Synonyms
  • Topic label: a term that identifies the subject.
  • Descriptor: a word used in indexing to represent a concept.
Related Idioms
  • (No common idioms are associated with "subject-heading" as it is a technical term.)
Phrasal Verbs
  • (No phrasal verbs are formed with "subject-heading" as it is a compound noun.)