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

One station offers an earpiece that broadcasts sounds captured in Polène’s Ubrique workshops. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025

Following global listener feedback, SoundPeats has developed a pair of wireless earbuds using two custom balanced armature drivers in each earpiece, working in tandem with a 12mm composite dynamic driver for the lower midrange and bass frequencies. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

As per the norm, the phone generates stereo sound by combining the downward-firing speaker with the earpiece. —Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025

At times, the actors would have an earpiece and sing live. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025

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