headspace

American  

[hed-speys] / ˈhɛdˌspeɪs /

Or head space

noun

1. Informal. mental state; state of mind: He creates such profoundly rich creative universes, it truly feels like you enter a completely different headspace when you watch his shows.

   Doomscrolling all day puts me in a really bad headspace, so I try to stay away from all that negative news.

   He creates such profoundly rich creative universes, it truly feels like you enter a completely different headspace when you watch his shows.

2. Informal. quiet, private, or contemplative mood or frame of mind: I never listen to music when I’m jogging, since I run for headspace as much as for exercise.

   I spend a lot of the weekend in my own headspace, so I can’t really engage with anything much.

   I never listen to music when I’m jogging, since I run for headspace as much as for exercise.

3. headroom.

4. empty space left above the contents of a closed jar, can, or other container.

---

Etymology

Origin of headspace

First recorded in 1800–10; head ( def. ) + space ( def. )

Example Sentences

Roberts feels good about Snell’s headspace during his recovery.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

Now we’re in the right headspace for me to offer some of my best tax-season tips as you listen to the song’s killer opening bass line.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 2026

“I think that’s why a lot of moms decided that we are going to step up and speak, because we are in the headspace of protecting our communities and protecting our children.”

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2026

This air, or "headspace," was then sampled and analyzed for ethanol content.

From Science Daily • Dec. 1, 2025

Even though she claims it’s because she’s not in the same headspace he is, he knows it’s because he hasn’t been himself lately.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera