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

This style puts a little spring in your step with bouncy, lightweight cushioning and molds to your unique foot shape thanks to Skechers’ trademarked Air-Cooled Memory Foam. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025

These kicks offer lightweight foam cushioning in the midsole and a comfort insert that makes long days on your feet much easier. —Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 11 Sep. 2025

Might this pillow of cushioning absorb some of the impacts of running, sparing the elasticity of the quad muscles? —Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 6 Sep. 2025

Men’s slippers will have varying levels of cushioning. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined above