Wearable describes something designed to be worn on your body, usually referring to electronic devices that track information or provide useful functions while you wear them. A fitness tracker that counts your steps, a smartwatch that shows text messages, or special glasses that display digital information are all wearables.

The term became popular in the 2010s as technology got small enough to fit comfortably on wrists, in clothing, or on glasses. Unlike a phone you carry in your pocket, a wearable device stays with you constantly, monitoring things like your heart rate during exercise or reminding you about appointments throughout the day.

Before electronics, wearable just meant anything you could wear: a wearable costume for the school play meant one you could actually put on and move around in comfortably, not just look at on a hanger. But today, when someone mentions wearables without any other context, they almost always mean wearable technology.

Some wearables help athletes improve their performance by tracking speed and distance. Others help doctors monitor patients' health remotely. As these devices become more sophisticated and affordable, wearables are changing how people interact with technology, shifting it from something you hold in your hand to something that becomes part of your daily outfit.