upholstery

noun

up·​hol·​stery (ˌ)əp-ˈhōl-st(ə-)rē 

(ˌ)ə-ˈpōl-

plural upholsteries

: materials (such as fabric, padding, and springs) used to make a soft covering especially for a seat

Examples of upholstery in a Sentence

an old chair that needs new upholstery

He learned upholstery from his father.

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike larger options, this handheld vacuum can reach between couch cushions, lift up hair from thick upholstery, and make its way into the remote corners of a room. —Shea Simmons, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025

There’s a cropped rendering of a car’s open doors, its camel upholstery bared like a jewel. —Laura Regensdorf Katharine Sohn Laura Bannister Osman Can Yerebakan Shannon Adducci, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025

Porous surfaces: Hot water is the best tool for cleaning porous items like bed linens, upholstery, and baby feeding items. —Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2025

The interior cabin features all the bells and whistles found in the standard LX, including genuine leather upholstery. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English upholdester upholsterer, from upholden to uphold, from up + holden to hold

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

upholstery

noun

up·​hol·​stery (ˌ)əp-ˈhōl-st(ə-)rē 

(ˌ)ə-ˈpōl-

plural upholsteries

: materials (as fabric, padding, and springs) used to make a soft covering especially for a seat