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

Of course, the thin mattress leaves something to be desired in comparison to the Topo2's memory foam, but a padded level floor always beats the floor of rocks, roots and twigs that await below the thin fabric of a ground tent. —New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2024

According to court records, Medina and McCoy got into a fight over the mattress. —Kelly Davis, The Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2024

His immigration papers were stashed under the mattress. —Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024

Step 5: Smooth Everything Out Tuck all sides of the blanket and the top (third) sheet under the mattress (again, employ hospital corners to maximize the effect). —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 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