earplug
noun
ear·plug ˈir-ˌpləg 
1
: an ornament inserted in the lobe of the ear especially to distend it
2
: a device of pliable material for insertion into the outer opening of the ear (as to keep out water or deaden sound)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web As of June 30, there were nearly 250,000 earplug cases filed and outstanding, 3M said. 
Gretchen Morgenson, NBC News, 26 July 2022 But music is his livelihood, and in November, Parsons returned to the road for the first time in two months with an earplug in his right ear and an earpiece in his left. Tricia Despres, PEOPLE.com, 18 Nov. 2021 This Eargasm pair comes with with two pairs of different sized earplug shells which fit most small to normal ear sizes. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2021 The earplug shells are made from hypoallergenic plush silicone that is comfortable for prolonged wear and won’t cause itching or pain. Chris Hachey, BGR, 11 June 2021 As of March 15, there were 229,397 separate actions within the 3M earplug case, according to the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. Mike Hughlett, Star Tribune, 28 Mar. 2021 The earplug claims against 3M were lodged after the company settled a whistleblower suit in 2018. Mike Hughlett, Star Tribune, 28 Mar. 2021 Aearo’s Combat Arms earplug was standard issue for U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mike Hughlett, Star Tribune, 18 Sep. 2020 Priceline has a McMinnville farm house for rent with four bedrooms, but reviewers say bring earplugs because of road noise. oregonlive, 22 May 2020 See More
Gretchen Morgenson, NBC News, 26 July 2022 But music is his livelihood, and in November, Parsons returned to the road for the first time in two months with an earplug in his right ear and an earpiece in his left. Tricia Despres, PEOPLE.com, 18 Nov. 2021 This Eargasm pair comes with with two pairs of different sized earplug shells which fit most small to normal ear sizes. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2021 The earplug shells are made from hypoallergenic plush silicone that is comfortable for prolonged wear and won’t cause itching or pain. Chris Hachey, BGR, 11 June 2021 As of March 15, there were 229,397 separate actions within the 3M earplug case, according to the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. Mike Hughlett, Star Tribune, 28 Mar. 2021 The earplug claims against 3M were lodged after the company settled a whistleblower suit in 2018. Mike Hughlett, Star Tribune, 28 Mar. 2021 Aearo’s Combat Arms earplug was standard issue for U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mike Hughlett, Star Tribune, 18 Sep. 2020 Priceline has a McMinnville farm house for rent with four bedrooms, but reviewers say bring earplugs because of road noise. oregonlive, 22 May 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
earplug
noun
ear·plug -ˌpləg
: a device of pliable material for insertion into the outer opening of the ear (as to keep out water or deaden sound)