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

Put the reader on (watch out for the surprisingly pokey earpieces at the ends of the arms), and those displays merge into a single 271 ppi E Ink display. —Anthony Karcz, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

By default, the left earpiece controls noise cancellation modes. —PC Magazine, 6 May 2025

In footage after the first show Royal asked what happened with her earpieces. —Marina Watts, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Eventually, his route takes him out the door and onto the streets of the theater district, with Francis still staying in step with the song thanks to an earpiece carrying music from the orchestra. —Dave Quinn, People.com, 18 Apr. 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