headgear

American  

[hed-geer] / ˈhɛdˌgɪər /

noun

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

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

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

4. Orthodontics Informal. a device worn on the head 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.

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headgear British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of headgear

First recorded in 1530–40; head + gear

Example Sentences

Headgear includes swimming caps with the Adidas logo, and double-billed baseball caps allowing each brand to share prime real estate.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 25, 2022

Headgear varies, but all have adjustable straps to get the right fit.

From New York Times • May 31, 2021

Headgear has ranged from a black-and-white checked cap to a black beret to Friday’s brown fedora, with an exceptional bare-headed display when Fonda and Danson were hauled in a week ago.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2019

Headgear was limited to caps, of which Mona owned an immense variety; while she wore nothing but high lace-up boots or pumps.

From The Devolutionist and the Emancipatrix by Flint, Homer Eon

Headgear she had none, but her hair hung in rich profusion around her shoulders and far down her back.

From The Coming of the King by Hocking, James

Related Words

• fedora
• helmet