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

Even more devastating was her runway look, however, which showcased Joella's face in a small cutout of a huge mattress. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025

In the end, Caleb heeded warnings not to put the mattress directly on the floor. —Tim McKeough, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Diane walked in with their two dogs, Casey and Scout, who hopped onto the mattress and lay down. —Oren Peleg, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025

Contact your local waste collection organization to find out the proper way to dispose of mattresses. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025

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