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

Wired headphones, chargers, and adapters go here, so you’ll never be stuck rummaging through a tote bag for an EU-compatible plug at the gate again. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026

There's something about bad things involving people we're used to seeing on a big screen or listening to sing in our headphones that feels almost personal to fans and even casual observers. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026

Gift a new set of grilling tools to the husband who loves to cook, add a massage gun to your home gym for the workout enthusiast, or indulge his love for music with a best-selling pair of headphones, or even a custom plaque with your wedding song. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026

Truthfully, attendees were buzzing before the panels even began, thanks to a swanky breakfast that welcomed guests with a set of new Airpods Pro to experience the latest iteration of the wireless headphones’ live translation technology. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Feb. 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