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
a
b
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
cushioned; cushioning
ˈku̇-sh(ə-)niŋ 
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
Synonyms
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
Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2024
Though a bit more modest than most sandals, the upper is breathable and quick-drying for comfortable wear on even the hottest days, and the plush footbed acts as a serious cushion for your foot.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
The Avs scored twice in 18 seconds for a 3-2 cushion.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2024
Looked through every room, under every sofa cushion, in every crevice, even in the trash, found nothing.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2024
The headphones come with a comfortable over-ear design with plush cushions.
—Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 15 Apr. 2024
Freshman Tessa Johnson found a hot hand off the bench, hitting a pair of three-pointers in the third quarter that gave the Gamecocks a bit of a cushion.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
Wilcox 5, Homestead 2 Wilcox scored four runs in the top half of the seventh to turn a 2-1 deficit into a three-run cushion as the Chargers turned back Homestead in a Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division game.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
The department withheld an additional 3% to provide extra cushion, according to department officials.
—Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 9 Apr. 2024
Just like running shoes support and cushion your feet, the best sports bras for running are important to protect your chest from bouncing and chafing.
—Hannah Singleton, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2024
Their design is both lightweight, cushioned, and breathable.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Select: Online Shopping, Simplified Compared to running sneakers, training shoes are lightly cushioned and flatter to prioritize stability.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2024
First, grab these Adidas sneakers that offer cushioned, cloud-like support and come in a number of colors.
—Mia Huelsbeck, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
What is Citizens doing to cushion against potential high losses in the sector given close to one-fifth of your loans are there?
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024
Senators made several additions to the House version, including a $75 million appropriation to deliver an additional pension payment for retirees in the Kentucky Employee Retirement System to help cushion them from the impact of high inflation.
—Bruce Schreiner, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
The bottom of the mailbox is cushioned with a plastic liner so packages won’t incur damage when they’re dropped into the compartment.
—Samantha S. Thorpe, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
Kneelers come in several forms, including cushions, stools, and knee pads.
—Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2024
Though a bit more modest than most sandals, the upper is breathable and quick-drying for comfortable wear on even the hottest days, and the plush footbed acts as a serious cushion for your foot.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
The Avs scored twice in 18 seconds for a 3-2 cushion.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2024
Looked through every room, under every sofa cushion, in every crevice, even in the trash, found nothing.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2024
The headphones come with a comfortable over-ear design with plush cushions.
—Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 15 Apr. 2024
Freshman Tessa Johnson found a hot hand off the bench, hitting a pair of three-pointers in the third quarter that gave the Gamecocks a bit of a cushion.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
Wilcox 5, Homestead 2 Wilcox scored four runs in the top half of the seventh to turn a 2-1 deficit into a three-run cushion as the Chargers turned back Homestead in a Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division game.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024
The department withheld an additional 3% to provide extra cushion, according to department officials.
—Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Verb
Available in beige and bright orange, this simple metal-frame chaise lounger is amply cushioned and has a weather-resistant canopy.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 9 Apr. 2024
Just like running shoes support and cushion your feet, the best sports bras for running are important to protect your chest from bouncing and chafing.
—Hannah Singleton, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2024
Their design is both lightweight, cushioned, and breathable.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Select: Online Shopping, Simplified Compared to running sneakers, training shoes are lightly cushioned and flatter to prioritize stability.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2024
First, grab these Adidas sneakers that offer cushioned, cloud-like support and come in a number of colors.
—Mia Huelsbeck, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
What is Citizens doing to cushion against potential high losses in the sector given close to one-fifth of your loans are there?
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024
Senators made several additions to the House version, including a $75 million appropriation to deliver an additional pension payment for retirees in the Kentucky Employee Retirement System to help cushion them from the impact of high inflation.
—Bruce Schreiner, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
The bottom of the mailbox is cushioned with a plastic liner so packages won’t incur damage when they’re dropped into the compartment.
—Samantha S. Thorpe, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cushion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cushion
Cite this Entry
“Cushion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cushion. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cushion
1 of 2 noun
cush·ion
ˈku̇sh-ən
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
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
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
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