headrest

A headrest is the part of a seat, chair, or similar object that supports the back of your head. You usually see it in cars, airplanes, office chairs, and salon chairs. Some are soft and padded, while others are firmer, but the basic idea is the same: it gives your head and neck support when you lean back. People often use the word for comfort, but in places like cars it can also help protect the neck during sudden movement.

The word "headrest" refers to the part of a seat, chair, or similar piece of equipment that supports the back of the head. When you lean back in a car seat, on an airplane, or in a reclining chair, that support behind your head is the headrest. It is there to make resting more comfortable and to give the head and neck better support.

In everyday English, the word is most commonly used for the built-in support at the top of a car seat or other chair. It can also refer to similar supports on salon chairs, wheelchairs, and some medical or massage equipment. In many cases, it is padded, adjustable, or shaped to fit the head more comfortably.

The word can sometimes be used more broadly for anything that lets you rest your head, but the usual picture is still a support attached to a seat. In cars, people often think of it as a comfort feature, but it also has a safety role because it helps limit how far the head moves backward in a crash.

The main idea is simple: a headrest is a support for the head, especially one attached to a seat. It is less about sleeping than about leaning back with support, staying comfortable, and, in some situations, adding protection for the neck.