What does headrest mean?
A headrest is a support designed to hold or steady the head, most often the padded, adjustable fitting mounted on a car seat. It also appears on office chairs, recliners, beds, barber chairs, and other seating where a person may recline or lean back. The term is neutral and practical rather than literary, and in vehicles it can refer either to the physical cushion or to the part of a broader head-restraint system. A headrest provides comfort by supporting the head and neck, while automotive head restraints can also help reduce the distance the head moves during a collision. The word is a straightforward English compound made from “head” and “rest,” reflecting the basic function of the object.
nounA padded or rigid support on which the back of the head rests, especially in a chair, bed, or motor vehicle. In vehicles, a headrest may also form part of a head-restraint system.
- A support for the head, especially on a chair, bed, or vehicle seat.
"She adjusted the car's headrest so that it supported her neck comfortably."
"The dentist reclined the chair and adjusted its headrest."
"The front passenger's headrest was knocked out of position in the collision."
The standard plural of the noun.
"The technician inspected the headrests on the bus seats."
A car headrest offers comfort while driving, but it can also help reduce the movement of a passenger's head during a crash.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does headrest come from?
“Headrest” is an English compound of “head” and “rest,” both of which descend from Old English. The two elements have transparent meanings: “head” refers to the part of the body supported by the object, while “rest” refers to a support or place of repose. The compound was formed within English by joining these inherited words, rather than by borrowing a single term from another language.
Related word forms
How headrest is actually used
Generally neutral and used for both comfortable supports and components of vehicle safety systems. In automotive contexts, “headrest” often refers specifically to the adjustable padded support, while “head restraint” may refer to the broader restraint system.