cushioning

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noun

cush·​ion·​ing ˈku̇-sh(ə-)niŋ 

: protection against force or shock provided by a cushion

Wearers will be able to pump air into the shoe's sole for extra cushioning.

—Joseph Pereira

Ligaments keep the vertebrae in place during movement, and fibrous disks with jellylike centers provide cushioning between them.

—Jane E. Brody

As part of NASA's "better, faster, cheaper" philosophy, the most recent missions to Mars largely relied on airbag cushioning for a soft landing.

—Beth Daley

Engineered flooring goes down over a thin foam sheet, which provides cushioning and sound-dampening.

—Joseph Truini

cushioning

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adjective

: providing protection against force or shock : providing or serving as a cushion

Investigators are testing new kinds of cushioning material.

—Think

The ads will promote two key cushioning technologies …

—Jeff Jensen

Normal wear and tear also erodes the cushioning cartilage in our knees and hips, which decreases height a bit.

—Bob Guldin

But when they become wet from perspiration, cotton or wool socks hold the moisture against your skin and lose their cushioning ability …

—University Of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter

The mission also demonstrated a low-cost means of landing on Mars using cushioning airbags …

—Astronomy

Examples of cushioning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This sneaker also has a wide base to keep you feeling stable and supported, with impact-absorbing cushioning to soften each landing. —Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 4 Nov. 2024

For better cushioning and pressure relief under joints, check out the Helix Midnight Luxe. —Macy Alcido, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024

Her preferred footwear for medical settings is Hoka, which made our list for the best cushioning. —Samson McDougall, Health, 30 Oct. 2024

Between each vertebra is a disc that provides cushioning between the bones. —Jennifer Steinhoff, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined above