headphone

noun

head·​phone ˈhed-ˌfōn 

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

Examples of headphone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The story turns Hishem, on a customs officer on the Algerian-Tunisian border, who encounters Tesla, a donkey lost in the desert with headphones over his ears, with a bag of cocaine on his back. — Annika Pham, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026

The video, posted on X by Scavino on May 2, showed Rubio wearing headphones and working a DJ controller as guests danced and cheered nearby. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

This could also be colorful headphones that make your morning walk a bit more you, or a book that leaves you feeling inspired to explore more of your own creativity. — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026

Other in-flight amenities include noise-canceling headphones, large pillow, 100% wool blanket, and an amenity kit. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for headphone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

headphone

noun

head·​phone ˈhed-ˌfōn 

: an earphone held over the ear by a band worn on the head

—usually used in plural