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

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, 21 Nov. 2024

Looking back, one or two of those trips were really difficult; none of us were in a good headspace at all, really low mental health, really struggling. —Thomas Smith, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024

At the industrial park, director Steven Canals moves to close-up shots, locking us in Aaron and Odin’s headspaces for their final conversation. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024

That feeds the positive headspace needed to enjoy the harder job: being a parent. —Ed Flores, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1