headspace

noun

head·​space ˈhed-ˌspās 

1

: the volume above a liquid or solid in a closed container

The demonstrator suggests that the slow leakage of hydrogen from the balloons … allowed for the accumulation of hydrogen and oxygen in the bag's headspace.

—Chemical and Engineering News

To process sauce, immediately ladle hot sauce into hot, clean half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace.

—Better Homes and Gardens

2

: vertical space in which to stand, sit, or move : headroom

The sleeping area [of a tiny house] looks restful and thanks to the curved roof, probably has more headspace than most …

—Kimberly Mok

3

informal : mind-set, frame of mind

"It's difficult to tell how people have changed," says Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien. "But Thom's been in a better headspace for quite a few years."

—Brian Raftery

Examples of headspace in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How dark is his headspace coming into this next episode, especially after the breakup with Hannah? —Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 4 Mar. 2025

Take a shower, get dressed, and put yourself in the right headspace. —Jodie Cook, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

Hong all but places us in the headspace of a poet for whom simply interpreting the world around him is a strain. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025

Hayden, for her part, soon spoke out about her headspace during the interview. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for headspace

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase