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.
Those individuals won’t be able to use the camera on their glasses, leaving them with a pair of expensive Bluetooth headphones. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Don’t spend the entire day with your headphones on, moving from one meeting to the next. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Law says taking calls on speakerphone, video chatting in public areas, or watching videos without headphones can interrupt experiences everyone has gathered to enjoy, whether that’s scenic cruising, a wildlife sighting, or an evening performance. — Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026 But the government cited detention-center records showing the brothers had been permitted to buy beef jerky, Snickers bars, noodle soups, toiletries, vitamins and headphones. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 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 2 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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