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

By the end of spring training, Williams was onboard with the new headgear. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026

Pitt's headgear consisted of a Burberry Check bucket hat, while de Ramon, a jewelry executive, opted for a baseball cap. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026

But on Monday, at the foot of a mountain in Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the towns hosting of the 2026 Olympics, a group of Alpini traded in their trademark headgear for black ski helmets. —New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026

Part of the fault for the spinal injury lay with Tipping, who chose not to wear safety headgear before taking part in the training, McGuire argued. —Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for headgear

• midyear
• nazir
• reindeer
• tuyere
• acyclovir
• asthenosphere
• ganciclovir
• magnetosphere
• atmosphere
• biosphere
• centromere
• chemosphere

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