headdress

noun

head·​dress ˈhed-ˌdres How to pronounce headdress (audio)
Synonyms of headdressnext
: an often elaborate covering for the head

Illustration of headdress

Illustration of headdress

Synonyms of headdress

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Examples of headdress in a Sentence

The dancers wore ceremonial headdresses. most of the acrobats riding the horses and elephants wore some sort of fancy headdress
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By the Renaissance, black mourning garments, veils, and headdresses distinguished grieving European aristocrats. — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026 The pieces feature custom hardware and intricate embroidery highlighting Indian Motorcycle’s iconic headdress badge. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 Austrian authorities have cited the headdress’s fragility as the cause preventing its return, as per a joint study by Austrian and Mexican conservators. — News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026 In 2020, Mexico requested to borrow the headdress for an exhibition, but Austrian officials refused to do so, citing the object’s fragility as the reason. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for headdress

Word History

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of headdress was in 1645

Rhymes for headdress

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Browse Nearby Words

head ditch
headdress
head dropper
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Cite this Entry

“Headdress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headdress. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

headdress

noun
head·​dress ˈhed-ˌdres How to pronounce headdress (audio)
: a covering or ornament for the head

More from Merriam-Webster on headdress

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about headdress

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