mattress

noun

mat·​tress ˈma-trəs 

plural mattresses

1

a

: a fabric case filled with resilient material (such as cotton, hair, feathers, foam rubber, or an arrangement of coiled springs) used either alone as a bed or on a bedstead

b

: a soft, airtight case that is designed to be inflated and used as a bed : air mattress

2

: a device (as of interwoven brush and poles) used to protect a shoreline, bank, or streambed from erosion

Examples of mattress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The group will shut down American Freight, which sells furniture, mattresses, new and out-of-box home appliances and home accessories at discount prices. —David Moin, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024

Even big ticket purchases, like a $2,000 mattress set, would trigger sticker shock. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024

Hybrid and innerspring mattresses have coils that circulate warm air out of the mattress. —Rachael Harris, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024

The brand recommends the 3-inch style for refreshing old mattresses and offering support for side sleepers. —Isabel Garcia, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English materas, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin materacium, from Arabic maṭraḥ place where something is thrown

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing mattress

• air mattress
• mattress pad

Kids Definition

mattress

noun

mat·​tress ˈma-trəs 

1

: a fabric case filled with springy material used as a bed or on a bedstead

2

: a sack that can be filled with air or water and used as a mattress