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

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

The Kardashians viewers may get an insight into the model’s headspace on the show's upcoming season, premiering May 23 on Hulu. —Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024

Ladle into clean wide-mouth half-pint freezer containers, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. —Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2024

Selena Gomez continued her mental health advocacy work at the third annual Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit in New York City Wednesday (May 1), opening up about her personal journey and the steps she’s taken to protect her headspace in discussion with Today‘s Hoda Kotb. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 2 May 2024

Whatever happens next, O’Connell is clearly in a very different headspace to 2014 and seems to have the experience, desire and attitude to handle both the expectations of the industry and himself. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024

How did the studio impact your headspace while working on the album? —Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2024

To access those depths, music was the crucial trigger that got me into the right headspace. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2024

Luckily, Sandra Mason came by to help the account executive, 25, get into the right headspace for her date. —Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024

The therapist then utilizes a soothing tone, repetition and imagery to get you into a safe and comfortable headspace. —Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1