headspace
noun
head·space
ˈhed-ˌspās 
1
: the volume above a liquid or solid in a closed container
The demonstrator suggests that the slow leakage of hydrogen from the balloons … allowed for the accumulation of hydrogen and oxygen in the bag's headspace.—
Chemical and Engineering News
Chemical and Engineering NewsTo process sauce, immediately ladle hot sauce into hot, clean half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace.—Better Homes and Gardens
Better Homes and Gardens2
: vertical space in which to stand, sit, or move : headroom
The sleeping area [of a tiny house] looks restful and thanks to the curved roof, probably has more headspace than most …—Kimberly Mok
Kimberly Mok3
informal
: mind-set, frame of mind
"It's difficult to tell how people have changed," says Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien. "But Thom's been in a better headspace for quite a few years."—Brian Raftery
Brian Raftery
Examples of headspace in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ladle hot stewed tomatoes into hot, clean quart or pint canning jars, leaving 1-inch headspace.
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Aug. 2023
The show’s panelists were all in the basketball headspace, but none of them guessed the right player under the costume.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
If the Rams are to be successful again any time in the near future, McVay will have to be in a positive headspace.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2023
For fuyus, peel and puree the inner fruit, then pour it into freezer-safe packaging ($10, Target), leaving a ½-inch headspace.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2023
Lowenthal didn’t have to live in that headspace for the entirety of recording, though.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 21 Oct. 2023
Ladle tomatoes into wide-top freezer containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Aug. 2023
Add jam to jars: Pour peach jam into 6 clean and sterilized half-pint jars, leaving proper headspace.
—Rishon Hanners, Southern Living, 30 June 2023
This helps to cut down on some weight without cutting out any headspace.
—Meg Carney, Field & Stream, 27 Sep. 2023
See More
Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Aug. 2023
The show’s panelists were all in the basketball headspace, but none of them guessed the right player under the costume.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
If the Rams are to be successful again any time in the near future, McVay will have to be in a positive headspace.
—Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2023
For fuyus, peel and puree the inner fruit, then pour it into freezer-safe packaging ($10, Target), leaving a ½-inch headspace.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2023
Lowenthal didn’t have to live in that headspace for the entirety of recording, though.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 21 Oct. 2023
Ladle tomatoes into wide-top freezer containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Aug. 2023
Add jam to jars: Pour peach jam into 6 clean and sterilized half-pint jars, leaving proper headspace.
—Rishon Hanners, Southern Living, 30 June 2023
This helps to cut down on some weight without cutting out any headspace.
—Meg Carney, Field & Stream, 27 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'headspace.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near headspace
Cite this Entry
“Headspace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headspace. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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