cushion

1 of 2

noun

cush·​ion ˈku̇-shən How to pronounce cushion (audio)
1
: a soft pillow or pad usually used for sitting, reclining, or kneeling
2
: a bodily part resembling a pad
3
: something resembling a cushion: such as
c
: a pad of springy rubber along the inside of the rim of a billiard table
d
: a padded insert in a shoe
e
: an elastic body for reducing shock
f
: a mat laid under a large rug to ease the effect of wear
4
a
: something (such as an economic factor or a medical procedure) serving to mitigate the effects of disturbances or disorders
b
: a reserve supply (as of money)
c
: a comfortable lead
a 4–0 cushion in the ninth inning
cushionless adjective
cushiony adjective

cushion

2 of 2

verb

cushioned; cushioning ˈku̇-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce cushion (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to seat or place on a cushion
2
: to suppress by ignoring
3
: to furnish with a cushion
a cushioned seat
4
a
: to mitigate the effects of
trying to cushion the blow
b
: to protect against force or shock
cushion the ride
5
: to check gradually so as to minimize shock of moving parts

Examples of cushion in a Sentence

Noun There is a cushion under the rug to protect the floor. We didn't have a financial cushion when my husband lost his job. Verb The pile of leaves helped cushion his fall. The tax cut is meant to cushion the blow of soaring gas prices.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Many items are available off the rack, like certain clothes, bags, cushion covers and scarves. Terry Elward, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 To help remove odors, sprinkle the leather and under the cushions with baking soda. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
Doctors also identified the fluid as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a protective substance that cushions the brain and spinal cord. David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025 Running shoes were barely cushioned, the sports bra hadn’t been invented and yoga mats were usually just blankets. Danielle Friedman, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for cushion 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cusshin, from Anglo-French cussin, quissin, from Vulgar Latin *coxinus, from Latin coxa hip — more at coxa

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1738, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cushion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near cushion

Cite this Entry

“Cushion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cushion. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

cushion

1 of 2 noun
cush·​ion ˈku̇sh-ən How to pronounce cushion (audio)
1
: a soft pillow or pad to rest on or against
2
: something resembling a cushion in use, shape, or softness
3
: a rubber pad along the inner rim of a billiard table
4
: something serving to lessen the effects of something bad or unpleasant

cushion

2 of 2 verb
cushioned; cushioning -(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce cushion (audio)
1
: to place on or as if on a cushion
2
: to furnish with a cushion
3
: to soften or lessen the force or shock of

Medical Definition

cushion

noun
cush·​ion ˈku̇sh-ən How to pronounce cushion (audio)
1
: a bodily part resembling a pad
2
: a medical procedure or drug that eases discomfort without necessarily affecting the basic condition of the patient

More from Merriam-Webster on cushion

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