English

Alternative forms

• head space
• head-space

Noun

headspace ‎(countable and uncountable, plural headspaces)

1. The space between the top of the contents of a container (such as a jar) and its seal (such as a lid).
2. (informal) One's mental state.
   • 1996, Andrew Cowan, Common Ground

     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.

3. (informal) Unscheduled time for reflection and thinking.
   • 2011, Eric J. Gregory, Would You Like Profits, ISBN 0987150596:

     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.

4. (firearms) The gap between the face of the bolt and the stopping surface for the cartridge.
5. (chemistry) The gas phase in contact and in equilibrium with a nonvolatile sample.