headphone

noun

head·​phone ˈhed-ˌfōn How to pronounce headphone (audio)
plural headphones
: an earphone held over the ear by a band worn on the head
—usually plural
So for the gamer to gain that "edge," he must have the best mouse, the smoothest mouse pad or the most sensitive headphones.—Chris Yong
Strapping on cushy headphones the size of loaves of bread, I'd repeatedly listen to Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and the music of artists such as Jelly Roll Morton and Billie Holiday.—Robert Wilder
also : a small earphone inserted into the ear : earbud
in-ear headphones

Examples of headphone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After loading the AliExpress homepage, audio from his phone stopped playing over his multipoint headphones, which accept connections from more than one device at a time. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026 These small bags are packed with items meant to help ease anxiety on the go, from sensory tools and calming scents to snacks and headphones. — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026 The headphones also have a user-repaceable rechargeable battery. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Baltimore City schools approved a cell phone policy that limits the use of tablets, laptops, wireless headphones, and smartwatches. — Kellye Lynn, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for headphone

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of headphone was in 1908

Rhymes for headphone

See All Rhymes for headphone

Browse Nearby Words

headpenny
headphone
headpiece
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Headphone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headphone. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

headphone

noun
head·​phone ˈhed-ˌfōn How to pronounce headphone (audio)
: an earphone held over the ear by a band worn on the head
—usually used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on headphone

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about headphone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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