headspace meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

headspace

noun

/ˈhɛdspeɪs/

Etymology From head + space.

7 senses

The space between the top of the contents of a container (such as a jar) and its seal (such as a lid).

Control of headspace is important for economic and technical reasons. Underfilling will contravene Weights and Measures legislation and may cause rusting in the headspace […]1997, S. D. Holdsworth, “Food Preservation Processes”, in M. D. Ranken, R. C. Kill, C. Baker, editors, Food Industries Manual, 24th edition, Blackie Academic and Professional, →ISBN, page 517:

Informal One's capacity for mental activity modeled as a physical space with limits.

Meronym: mindshare
It's like, I need to clear my headspace but I can't do that with him around because he's just ego, you know? He dumps on me. So that's it.1996, Andrew Cowan, Common Ground:

1 more example

Harry looked pained. "Please don't let me out of here. I really don't have the headspace for the moral implications of any of that right now. But as I was saying," he did so hate to be interrupted, it was the lecturing academic in him, "if I wanted a third girlfriend, I'd choose from the pool of non-murderers."2023 September 18, HarryBlank, “Hidden Depths”, in SCP Foundation, archived from the original on 25 May 2024:

One's mental state or state of mind.

Many of us, as gays, have been in the same headspace as Maurice: longing, lonely, and scared.1971, Herb Spiers, “Maurice (review)”, in Body Politic, number 1, page 12:

Informal A time and opportunity for reflection and thinking.

As a business owner, a truly effective business owner that is building a profitable business machine, you need headspace, thinking time, planning time, brainstorming time, education time, decision making time, questioning time and more thinking time.2011, Eric J. Gregory, Would You Like Profits, →ISBN:

Engineering, Firearms, Government, Military, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Politics, Tools, War, Weaponry The gap between the face of the bolt and the stopping surface for the cartridge.

Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences The gas phase in contact and in equilibrium with a nonvolatile liquid in a sample.

A place within a person (singlet or multiple) that they can visit or inhabit.

Multiplicity slang

verb

Etymology From head + space.

Engineering, Firearms, Government, Military, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Politics, Tools, War, Weaponry To occupy a headspace.