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
To process sauce, immediately ladle hot sauce into hot, clean half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace.—Better Homes and Gardens
2
: 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
3
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

Examples of headspace in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And performing it on that stage [at All Points East 2026] got me into a really good headspace. — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026 Ciara Miller offered Entertainment Weekly insight into her headspace during the Dancing With the Stars season 35 premiere. — Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026 Despite the shortstop’s inadvertent trespassing into Bush’s headspace, the president sidestepped the ceremonial mark at the front of the mound and toed the rubber like a pro. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Sep. 2026 And the quarterback is in a wonderful headspace heading into this season with his trust in Johnson. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for headspace

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of headspace was in 1895

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Cite this Entry

“Headspace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headspace. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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