headspace
noun
head·space
ˈhed-ˌspās 
1
: the volume above a liquid or solid in a closed container
The demonstrator suggests that the slow leakage of hydrogen from the balloons … allowed for the accumulation of hydrogen and oxygen in the bag's headspace.—
Chemical and Engineering News
Chemical and Engineering NewsTo process sauce, immediately ladle hot sauce into hot, clean half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace.—Better Homes and Gardens
Better Homes and Gardens2
: vertical space in which to stand, sit, or move : headroom
The sleeping area [of a tiny house] looks restful and thanks to the curved roof, probably has more headspace than most …—Kimberly Mok
Kimberly Mok3
informal
: mind-set, frame of mind
"It's difficult to tell how people have changed," says Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien. "But Thom's been in a better headspace for quite a few years."—Brian Raftery
Brian RafteryExamples of headspace in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Below, Shiffrin describes her headspace going into Milano Cortina, her rebound from a brutal puncture injury sustained in Vermont in 2024, and her dream podcast guest.
—Nick Remsen, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026
When asked about his goalie practicing the art of deception in Wild practices, Hynes flashed a broad smile and snapped into his Team USA headspace quickly.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
When freezing foods with liquid in glass jars or containers, leave 1 to 3 inches of headspace at the top to allow for expansion.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026
And my job was to create an environment that put them in the right headspace.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headspace
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Nick Remsen, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026
When asked about his goalie practicing the art of deception in Wild practices, Hynes flashed a broad smile and snapped into his Team USA headspace quickly.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
When freezing foods with liquid in glass jars or containers, leave 1 to 3 inches of headspace at the top to allow for expansion.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 31 Jan. 2026
And my job was to create an environment that put them in the right headspace.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headspace
Cite this Entry
“Headspace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headspace. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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