headphone

[ hed-fohn ]

noun

1. Audio. a headset designed for use with a stereo system.
2. any set of earphones.

Word History and Origins

Origin of headphone¹

First recorded in 1910–15; head + -phone

Example Sentences

The Phasers wear dark glasses and dark suits and have the power to render music inaudible, in the manner of noise-canceling headphones.

From Washington Post

Companies with direct ties to gaming, like headphone makers, are of course no strangers to the space, but many other brands have avoided marketing to gaming communities.

From Digiday

He also suggests investing in higher-quality wired headphones that reduce noise, cover your ears, and can provide better sound than wireless sets.

From Popular-Science

At Ketcham, teaching both sets of students meant those in class were wearing headphones, facing their laptops and listening as their teacher addressed the classroom learners and at-home learners simultaneously.

From Washington Post

It’s kind of like putting on a pair of noise-cancelling headphones on an airplane.

From Time

Meanwhile, it was no secret that Apple had a headphone problem.

From The Daily Beast

No matter what the soft drink commercials and headphone companies say, football is not about the star players.

From The Daily Beast

The majority of the somewhat strange soundtracks are reserved for headphone listening—a silent disco of sorts.

From The Daily Beast

I picked up the interior sounds at once; my headphone vibrated with them.

From Project Gutenberg

He need only wear the 113 headphone, and I seem to remember he said on leaving that he would keep it on most of the time.

From Project Gutenberg

As he tugged and struggled with them a shout rang in his headphone.

From Project Gutenberg

I talked to your cousin by means of Howards headphone set shortly after dark this afternoon.

From Project Gutenberg

Wires were then run to the transformer, tuner attached, the headphone wired on, and the aerial and ground connections made.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• earphones
• headset