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 concept of the ’04 model was to bring the 1990s Air Flight Huarache model into the current era with a more lightweight material makeup and the addition of Zoom Air cushioning. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 9 Dec. 2025

The full-length Nike Shox columns absorb impact for maximum cushioning, perfect for someone who’s on her feet all day long. —Kristen Geil, Outside, 8 Dec. 2025

Despite their chunky design, the boots are surprisingly lightweight and fitted with significant cushioning to keep you comfortable on your feet all day long. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025

The generous cushioning behind the upholstery gives back support for reading or watching a show in bed while still keeping the overall profile sleek rather than bulky. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined above