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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Hansen began his journey by strapping the giant pumpkin to a mattress and hauling it on a trailer. 
Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 Romero, accused of setting fire to the mattress, remains a fugitive. Matthew Ormsethstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2022 Plus, for the first time ever, five of its home goods partner brands will be included in the sale, such as Lorena Canals' decorative and washable rugs to Floyd's memory foam mattress. Bianca Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 26 Apr. 2022 The fire was contained to a mattress in the apartment, and the occupant of the apartment was taken to the hospital as a precaution, Malley said. Mike Nolan, chicagotribune.com, 18 Feb. 2022 Then, the water came surging into his home and rose shoulder high, forcing him, his wife and their cat to cling to a mattress as a life raft. New York Times, 22 Aug. 2021 Once your baby is past the bassinet stage, graduate her to a low mattress right on the floor. Bonnie Kristian, The Week, 19 Aug. 2021 The set includes a fitted sheet that can fit up to a 16-inch-tall mattress, a flat sheet, and two to four pillow cases, depending on the bed size. Eden Lichterman, PEOPLE.com, 17 Aug. 2021 Your head should also be parallel to the mattress, rather than at an angle. Korin Miller, Forbes, 27 May 2021 See More
Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 Romero, accused of setting fire to the mattress, remains a fugitive. Matthew Ormsethstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2022 Plus, for the first time ever, five of its home goods partner brands will be included in the sale, such as Lorena Canals' decorative and washable rugs to Floyd's memory foam mattress. Bianca Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 26 Apr. 2022 The fire was contained to a mattress in the apartment, and the occupant of the apartment was taken to the hospital as a precaution, Malley said. Mike Nolan, chicagotribune.com, 18 Feb. 2022 Then, the water came surging into his home and rose shoulder high, forcing him, his wife and their cat to cling to a mattress as a life raft. New York Times, 22 Aug. 2021 Once your baby is past the bassinet stage, graduate her to a low mattress right on the floor. Bonnie Kristian, The Week, 19 Aug. 2021 The set includes a fitted sheet that can fit up to a 16-inch-tall mattress, a flat sheet, and two to four pillow cases, depending on the bed size. Eden Lichterman, PEOPLE.com, 17 Aug. 2021 Your head should also be parallel to the mattress, rather than at an angle. Korin Miller, Forbes, 27 May 2021 See More 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
Kids Definition
mattress
noun
mat·tress ˈma-trəs
: a springy pad for use on a bed
mattress
noun
as in bed
a cloth case that is filled with material and used as something on which to sleep They bought a new mattress with the intention of getting a more restful night's sleep. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bed
- sofa
- couch
- futon
- bedstead
- pallet
- bunk
- crib
- daybed
- hammock
- rack
- sack
- cot
- doss
- hay
- kip
- studio couch
- pad
- bassinet
- sofa bed
- bunk bed
- water bed
- trundle bed
- four-poster
- cradle
- feather bed
- sleigh bed
- lair
- carry-cot
- shakedown
- Murphy bed
