air mattress

noun

plural air mattresses

: a soft, airtight plastic case that is designed to be inflated and used as a bed

And take it from my early 1960s-model spine, a modern air mattress—cheap, simple to inflate and reliable—is something that many parents will find essential when sleeping in a tent.

—Steve Stephens

called also air bed

Examples of air mattress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Reviewers report using the cot where air mattresses most likely wouldn’t do the trick, such as wet ground, sand, and even a bed of lava rock in Hawaii. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2025

This one from Coleman is big enough for your entire crew, has enough space for multiple air mattresses and includes a rainfly, interior storage pockets and a carry bag for easy storage. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025

People maintain that even the comfiest air mattresses pale in comparison to this elevated, cushiony bed. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025

The guest suite includes one bedroom (with the option to add a futon or air mattress), a bathroom, a living room, and a kitchen. —Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above