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

Incorporating Sensory-Friendly Features Including tools such as noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools or even spaces designed for movement can make a significant difference for neurodiverse employees. —Shaun Arora, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Dual speakers tuned by Dolby Atmos handle audio, while a microSD/SIM slot and 3.5mm headphone jack allow users to expand storage or connect wired headphones. —Iyaz Akhtar, PCMAG, 7 Jan. 2025

Popular items included TVs, Bluetooth headphones, and fitness trackers. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 7 Jan. 2025

Ex-Googler Bilawal Sidhu had early access and posted a video of a dog wearing sunglasses and headphones and drinking a cocktail. —Megan Morrone, Axios, 3 Jan. 2025

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