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

But the suspect managed to allegedly steal the juvenile’s bag and headphones. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026

Organized into two compartments, the nylon fanny pack is durable, easy to clean, and can easily store your phone, over-ear headphones, wallet, passport, hand sanitizer, and more. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026

Sitting off to the end of the table with his headphones on, Romans smiles. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 May 2026

Each seat is equipped with an audiobook tile docket and a pair of headphones. —Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for headphone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

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