headcount

Everyday

1. A headcount is a count of how many people are present, done by counting heads. tree →
2. (formal) Headcount is the number of people working in a company. tree →

In the lessons

On school trips teachers do a headcount to make sure no one is missing; maths problems use the headcount as the total number of people. In business news it means number of workers. Phrases: «do a headcount», «reduce headcount».

Examples

• The teacher did a headcount before the bus left. tree →
• Headcount: 28 pupils, all here. tree →
• After lunch we did another headcount. tree →
• The company cut its headcount by 50. tree →
• The headcount was 120; 15 left early — how many stayed? tree →
• We need a headcount for the pizza order. tree →

Note

Countable; one word (sometimes head count). In maths, the headcount is the total of people. «Reduce headcount» is a business euphemism for letting workers go.