headgear

[hed-geer]

noun

1. any covering for the head, heads, especially a hat, cap, bonnet, etc.

2. a protective covering for the head, heads, as a steel helmet or football helmet.

3. the parts of a harness about the animal's head. heads.

4. Orthodontics Informal.,  a device worn on the head heads and attached by wires and elastic bands to braces in the mouth, used to create backward tension in the process of repositioning protruding teeth.

5. Mining.,  a headframe and its machinery.

headgear

/ ˈhɛdˌɡɪə /

noun

1. any head covering, esp a hat

2. any part of a horse's harness that is worn on the head

3. the hoisting mechanism at the pithead of a mine

Word History and Origins

Origin of headgear¹

First recorded in 1530–40; head + gear

Example Sentences

The two young opponents, clad in crisp white karategi with coloured belts and protective headgear, circled each other on the tatami, the floor covering used for practising Japanese martial arts.

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His headgear choice upset many in Canada - a Commonwealth nation- who criticised him for not showing his allegiance to the realm, or to the only Canadian team in Major League Baseball.

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He adds that players should wear protective headgear - which many currently do not - and have spotters around to prevent their heads from hitting the ground.

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But the BBC compared his body armour, riot shield and headgear with that of every police officer at the scene.

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Melania Trump kicked off inauguration day with an outfit that has all the hallmarks of her favoured First Lady style: sharply cut, with spiked heels and a dramatic flourish via the headgear.

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Related Words

• fedora 
• helmet