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 pair, in particular, earned high praise from senior shopping writer Alyssa Grabinski for its satisfactory support and cushioning, which aided her when embarking on daily walks. —Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025

The shoes are crafted with premium, weather-resistant suede, a rubber outsole with grip and ample cushioning. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025

Fold it halfway to add extra cushioning for your joints during exercises that engage your knees and elbows, or fold it up completely to create support for incline and decline moves. —Lily Wohlner, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025

Because of the supportive cushioning and the velcro to ensure a tight wrap, my (big) head stayed upright and in a comfortable position. —Daniel Modlin, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined above