headgear

noun

head·​gear ˈhed-ˌgir 

1

: a covering or protective device for the head

2

: a harness for a horse's head

Synonyms of headgear

• hat
• helmet
• cap

Examples of headgear in a Sentence

The law requires cyclists to wear protective headgear.

Her preferred form of headgear is a big, floppy hat.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Thrissur Vadakkunnathan temple’s annual Pooram parade features about 100 elephants adorned in golden headgear and colorful silk caparisons. — ABC News, 3 July 2026

Edgar Guerrero was one of the many with the flamboyant headgear. — Julianna Mejia, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026

The elderly man next to Rembrandt and the androgynous figure with the fur hat beneath, says the house, may be Rembrandt’s godparents, while the young woman wearing embroidered headgear holding an infant is most likely a member of Rembrandt’s family or household, possibly his orphaned god-sister. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026

The Saints posted photos of Rechsteiner wearing his father’s wrestling headgear and holding the World Heavyweight Championship. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for headgear

• midyear
• nazir
• ophir
• reindeer
• switchgear
• tuyere
• acyclovir
• asthenosphere
• ganciclovir
• magnetosphere
• atmosphere
• biosphere

Kids Definition

headgear

noun

head·​gear -ˌgi(ə)r 

1

: a covering (as a hat or helmet) for the head

2

: harness for a horse's head