earphone

American  

[eer-fohn] / ˈɪərˌfoʊn /

noun

1. a sound receiver that fits in or over the ear, as of a radio or telephone.

2. Usually earphones. a headset; headphone.

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earphone British  

/ ˈɪəˌfəʊn /

noun

1. a device for converting electric currents into sound waves, held close to or inserted into the ear

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Etymology

Origin of earphone

First recorded in 1920–25; ear ¹ + phone ¹

Example Sentences

Within weeks of arriving, I loathed Madras, where rats stole the padding from my earphones, the humidity left me weak and men tailed my mother in traffic, desperate to buy our imported car.

From The Wall Street Journal

And instead of holding the phone against your head when you talk, use a speaker or wired earphones.

From Salon

“We went over and played it for David Lynch, who was shooting the last scene. He put his earphones on and said, ‘That’s peachy keen.’

From Washington Post

“David was shooting the last scene. We brought him the cassette tape. He put on his earphones and right away said, “That’s the ticket!

From Seattle Times

A Chilean reporter was live on air when a parrot landed on his shoulder and stole his earphone.

From BBC