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

In the 2013 movie, Joaquin Phoenix’s character, Theodore, walks around the city talking to Samantha, his AI companion, through a tiny earpiece. — Joanna Stern, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026

He was observed Friday and Sunday at the club, wearing a radio earpiece, taking photos of Secret Service agents on the grounds and carrying a round of ammunition in his pocket, according to a criminal complaint. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

The press release stated that the individual, later identified as Jeanine John Taele, 38, was seen wandering around the golf course while wearing an earpiece and taking photographs and videos of federal agents’ security-planning activities. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Aug. 2026

The video then shows Duff taking off her earpiece and saying something to her bandmate, who replies with an unsure gesture. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026

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