deadhead

noun9

1. •
   A person either admitted to a theatrical or musical performance without charge, or paid to attend.

   • […] we critics were not his fellow-guests, but simply deadheads whose business it was to "dress the house" and write puffs. — 1931
2. •
   An employee of a transport company, especially a pilot or flight attendant, traveling as a passenger for logistical reasons, for example to return home or travel to the next assignment.

   • Are you my deadhead to Miami? — 2002
3. •
   Anyone traveling for free, without paying the expected fare.

   • I reckon I won't take the vote of any deadhead passenger. — 1882
4. •
   A person staying at a lodging, such as a hotel or boarding house, without paying rent; freeloader.

   • For the Caput mortuum (or deadhead, in vulgar phrase) is apt to be furnished with a Venter vivus, or, as we may say, a lively appetite. — 1872
5. •
   A stupid or boring person; dullard.
6. •
   A train or truck moved between cities with no passengers or freight, in order to make it available for service.
7. •
   (slang) A zombie.

   • I was dreaming about working at Wal-Mart before the deadheads came. — 2010
8. •
   A tree or tree branch fixed in the bottom of a river or other navigable body of water, partially submerged or rising nearly the surface, by which boats are sometimes pierced and sunk; snag.
9. •
   (slang) Driftwood.

verb5

1. •
   (transitive) To remove spent or dead blossoms from a plant.

   • If you deadhead your roses regularly, they will bloom all season.
2. •
   To drive an empty vehicle.

   • Kit had fallen into conversation with a footplate man who was deadheading back out to Samarkand, where he lived with his wife and children. — 2006
3. •
   To admit to a performance without charge.

   • […] the "puffing" system in criticism, whereby newspaper people were deadheaded in exchange for complimentary notices. — 1960
4. •
   To travel as a deadhead, or non-paying passenger.
5. •
   To send (a person or message) for free.

   • Washington suggested that she get some old friend of the family to come with her, and said the Senator would “deadhead” him home again as soon as he had grown tired, of the sights of the capital. — 1873

noun1

1. •
   (slang) A fan of the rock band Grateful Dead.

   • Out on the road today / I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac — 1984