headphones
/ˈhɛdfəʊnz/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A pair of cushioned speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound.
Noun
Examples
Circumaural headphones enclose the ear, supra-aural headphones rest on the ear's surface, and earbuds are placed inside the ear.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A pair of cushioned speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound. — A pair of cushioned speakers worn over or on the ears.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “headphones” mean?
A pair of cushioned speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound.
Is “headphones” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.