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

The brand says this mattress is made with seven layers of these natural materials as well as over 2,400 steel coils. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 20 June 2025

Read Next National Teen was raped on mattress in a field in 2006, Utah officials say. —Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025

The firmer the mattress, the softer the topper and vice versa. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025

The cushy king beds are topped with $23,000 mattresses from 100-year-old luxury Swedish label Duxiana. —Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 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