toplinev.
/ˈtɒplʌɪn/, /ˌtɒpˈlʌɪn/, U.S. /ˈtɑpˌlaɪn/, /ˌtɑpˈlaɪn/ Originally and chiefly U.S.
transitive. To have top billing in (a performance, event, etc.); to be the top-liner of (a show, film, or other entertainment). Also intransitive. Cf. top-liner n. 1.
ΚΠ
1902 Colored Amer. 4 Oct. 4/3 Cole and Johnson, our premier musical team.., were accorded the distinction of ‘top-lining’ a long and talented olio [sc. variety show].
1938 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 24 July 10 a/1 A double main event toplines Friday night's all-star wrestling card at the Oakland Auditorium.
2002 Fangoria Mar. 8/1 Lance Henriksen toplines as Headmaster Bradeen, a sadist who makes sure no students escape the school.
2019 Winnipeg Free Press 8 Mar. (Arts & Life section) d6/1 It's been 14 years since a Marvel Comics female superhero toplined her own movie.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2022).
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