earpiece

noun

ear·​piece ˈir-ˌpēs 

1

: the part of an instrument (such as a telephone, stethoscope, or hearing aid) that is placed against or inserted into the outer opening of the ear

especially : earphone

2

: one of the two sidepieces that support eyeglasses by passing over or behind the ears

Examples of earpiece in a Sentence

the earpiece of a stethoscope

Recent Examples on the Web

Through their earpieces, umpires are for the first time getting in-game feedback on calls at their request. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026

On-ear headphones are larger and sit on a solid band that goes over your head with padded earpieces that sit on top of your ears. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026

Did anyone propose a more method approach by giving you an earpiece with an actual hum playing? — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2026

The combination of allowing earpieces and the pitch clock have made the catcher nothing more than a robot. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

earpiece

noun

ear·​piece -ˌpēs 

: a part of an instrument (as a telephone) that is placed against or in the ear

especially : earphone

Medical Definition

earpiece

noun

ear·​piece ˈi(ə)r-ˌpēs 

1

: a part of an instrument (as a stethoscope or hearing aid) that is inserted into the outer opening of the ear

2

: one of the two sidepieces that support eyeglasses by passing over or behind the ears