1. the originating point or central facility of a cable television system from which signals are transmitted to subscribers
Usage: technical; telecommunications
2. the source or starting point of a stream or river
Usage: geography; less common

Examples

• The cable company's headend processes all incoming signals before distributing them to local neighborhoods.
• Engineers at the headend monitor signal quality throughout the entire network.
• The headend facility houses the main servers and transmission equipment.
• The river's headend is located high in the mountain range.
• Water from the headend flows downstream toward the valley.