Headphone: meaning, definitions and examples

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headphone

 

[ ˈhɛdˌfoʊn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

audio device

Headphones are a pair of small speakers that are designed to be worn on or over the ears. They allow users to listen to audio without disturbing others and are widely used for personal entertainment, professional audio production, and communication. There are various types of headphones, including wired, wireless, over-ear, and in-ear designs, each offering different sound qualities and comfort levels. The advancement of technology has led to improved sound quality and features such as noise cancellation in modern headphones.

Synonyms

cans, earphones, headset

Examples of usage

  • I love listening to music with my new headphones.
  • He wears headphones to block out the noise while studying.
  • She bought wireless headphones for her morning run.

Translations

Translations of the word "headphone" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fone de ouvido

🇮🇳 हेडफ़ोन

🇩🇪 Kopfhörer

🇮🇩 headphone

🇺🇦 навушники

🇵🇱 słuchawki

🇯🇵 ヘッドフォン

🇫🇷 casque

🇪🇸 auriculares

🇹🇷 kulaklık

🇰🇷 헤드폰

🇸🇦 سماعات الرأس

🇨🇿 sluchátka

🇸🇰 slúchadlá

🇨🇳 耳机

🇸🇮 slušalke

🇮🇸 heyrnartólkur

🇰🇿 құлақаспап

🇬🇪 სმარტფონი

🇦🇿 qulaqlıq

🇲🇽 audífonos

Etymology

The word 'headphone' originated in the early 20th century, derived from the combination of 'head' and 'phone'. The term 'phone' itself is short for 'telephone', which was used to describe devices that transmit sound. The early versions of headphones were created for telephone operators in the 1900s, allowing them to communicate hands-free. As technology evolved, headphones became popular among musicians and audiophiles. In the 1950s, the term 'earphone' was used to refer to smaller, in-ear models. By the 1970s, the development of portable music players made headphones a common accessory for personal audio enjoyment. The rise of modern, wireless headphones in the 21st century has further transformed their use, making them a staple for everyday listening.