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

To process sauce, immediately ladle hot sauce into hot, clean half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace.

—Better Homes and Gardens

2

: 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

3

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

Examples of headspace in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thatcher admits that playing Natalie in Season 3, which debuts on Feb. 14, put her in a dark headspace that’s difficult to dig out of. —William Earl, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025

This acceptance is paramount for moving forward from trauma, as opposed to allowing anger, denial or frustration to keep you stuck in a perpetually negative headspace. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

The compositions prioritize headspace for the sky to take over the frame during exterior shots, communicating Rico’s feeling of insignificance against the immensity of what burdens him. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025

That small accomplishment alone, which isn’t actually so small, always serves to better my headspace when too busy with other things to fully deep-clean every surface, bathroom, and cluttered cabinet. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1