headphone

noun head·phone \ ˈhed-ˌfōn \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Definition of headphone

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

See headphone defined for kids

Recent Examples of headphone from the Web

The news today has to do with Apple's decision to disable your iPhone’s charging port (and headphone dongle port) from external access when your phone has been locked for more than an hour.

— madeline buxton, refinery29.com, "Apple Is Moving To Increase Your iPhone's Security, But Not Everyone Is Pleased," 14 June 2018
According to court records, Mazar used fraud proceeds to buy Versace sunglasses, headphones and fast food, and agreed to store $90,000 in his home, along with jewelry and other retail items, that Sabatino convinced designers into sending him.

— erika pesantes, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Federal officer sentenced for helping inmate run $10 million fraud out of prison cell," 13 June 2018
Pay attention - take off headphones while walking – no texting or playing games.

— record staff report, The Aegis, "Aberdeen police enforce crosswalk laws, produce pedestrian safety video," 13 June 2018
Mazar was pulled into the scheme, smuggling additional items in, including headphones and fast food.

— adiel kaplan, miamiherald, "Former corrections officer sentenced in nearly $9 million behind-bars fraud scheme," 13 June 2018
That honor — and prize of Shure headphones donated by Studio West — went to Lauren Bowlus, a third grader at Painted Rock Elementary School in Poway.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Talented youth singers compete for RB Idol title, prizes," 13 June 2018
Meanwhile, Bluetooth audio headphones remained a luxury item, one mostly used by international travelers and audiophiles.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "Apple's Airpods Are an Omen," 12 June 2018
The karaoke mansion turns out to belong to the founder of headphone maker Skullcandy, also a former Mormon.

— sarah scoles, Longreads, "Meet the New Mormons," 8 June 2018
Play it smart Wisconsin, get the earmuffs that keep you warm and double as headphones.

— lainey seyler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The weirdest things you can get a tax break on during Wisconsin's sales tax holiday in August," 8 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'headphone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.