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
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
While federal stimulus at the outset of the pandemic helped give people a cash cushion during the worst of it, there is an emerging consensus that this same cushion helped drive prices higher by giving people money to spend.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Grab a cute cushion for it (this comfy pick is also on sale for under $100 and comes in 10 cute colors) and get outside.
—Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Less than 10 minutes into the game, UConn was shooting nearly 70 percent from field to build an 11-point cushion.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024
Filling those vacancies would give the GOP majority a little more cushion.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2024
For at least the next six months, the airline will make specialized cushions available to install on its loaner chairs if a traveler’s personal wheelchair is unusable or unavailable after their flight.
—USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
Wiggins dropped The Magic cut Golden State’s lead to one late, but buckets inside from Payton II and Curry provided a late cushion.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 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
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
While federal stimulus at the outset of the pandemic helped give people a cash cushion during the worst of it, there is an emerging consensus that this same cushion helped drive prices higher by giving people money to spend.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Grab a cute cushion for it (this comfy pick is also on sale for under $100 and comes in 10 cute colors) and get outside.
—Melissa Epifano, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Less than 10 minutes into the game, UConn was shooting nearly 70 percent from field to build an 11-point cushion.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024
Filling those vacancies would give the GOP majority a little more cushion.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2024
For at least the next six months, the airline will make specialized cushions available to install on its loaner chairs if a traveler’s personal wheelchair is unusable or unavailable after their flight.
—USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
Wiggins dropped The Magic cut Golden State’s lead to one late, but buckets inside from Payton II and Curry provided a late cushion.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 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.
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
Phrases Containing cushion
Dictionary Entries Near cushion
Cite this Entry
“Cushion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cushion. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on cushion
Nglish: Translation of cushion for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of cushion for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share