cushioning

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noun

cush·​ion·​ing ˈku̇-sh(ə-)niŋ 

: protection against force or shock provided by a cushion

Wearers will be able to pump air into the shoe's sole for extra cushioning.

—Joseph Pereira

Ligaments keep the vertebrae in place during movement, and fibrous disks with jellylike centers provide cushioning between them.

—Jane E. Brody

As part of NASA's "better, faster, cheaper" philosophy, the most recent missions to Mars largely relied on airbag cushioning for a soft landing.

—Beth Daley

Engineered flooring goes down over a thin foam sheet, which provides cushioning and sound-dampening.

—Joseph Truini

cushioning

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adjective

: providing protection against force or shock : providing or serving as a cushion

Investigators are testing new kinds of cushioning material.

—Think

The ads will promote two key cushioning technologies …

—Jeff Jensen

Normal wear and tear also erodes the cushioning cartilage in our knees and hips, which decreases height a bit.

—Bob Guldin

But when they become wet from perspiration, cotton or wool socks hold the moisture against your skin and lose their cushioning ability …

—University Of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter

The mission also demonstrated a low-cost means of landing on Mars using cushioning airbags …

—Astronomy

Examples of cushioning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The footbed is also treated with an antimicrobial shield, and the forefoot features plush cushioning for all-around comfort. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2025

With cooling gel cushioning and a flexible outsole, each stride feels soft and responsive. —Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025

Hoka Men’s Mafate Speed 4 Trail Running Shoe Travelers who prefer a little less cushioning than standard Hoka styles will love the Mafate Speed 4 Trail Running Shoe, which is incredibly lightweight and offers firmer support rather than cloud-like comfort. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025

What makes the shoe transcendent isn’t just the cushioning, though that foam is doing the Lord’s work. —Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined above