headphone

noun

head·​phone ˈhed-ˌfōn 

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

Bose headphones, chargers, and various other electronics follow suit. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2024

The front section is slightly smaller for items like headphones, keys, and lip balm, while the back compartment is larger to fit cell phones, wallets, sunscreen, and other miscellaneous items. —Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 22 June 2024

For those who want to toss more in the Mini Chrystie — say, a phone charger and headphones — ditch your wallet and place your essential credit cards and IDs in the handbag’s inner card slots (there are two; each is stitched snugly against the bag’s lining to prevent your cards from sliding out). —Claire Sullivan, WWD, 21 June 2024

Connections on the left side include one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port with sleep and charge support, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, one USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port, and a headphone/microphone audio jack. —PCMAG, 19 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

headphone

noun

head·​phone ˈhed-ˌfōn 

: an earphone held over the ear by a band worn on the head

—usually used in plural