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

2 of 2

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

People with high arches should look for cushioning, support, and stability since their feet absorb shock less effectively. — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

However, these shoes truly stand out from the crowd thanks to their supportive, contoured footbed, comfortable cushioning, and adjustable buckle slingback closure that provides amazing stability for all-day wear. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2026

Adidas has multiple colorways and sizes of its bestselling sneaker on sale, with the same lightweight knit upper, super comfortable cushioning and distinctive silhouette that has made the Ultraboost a training and streetwear go-to for years. — Tim Chan, Footwear News, 25 July 2026

Too much cushioning can sap energy, affect movement and even increase the risk of injury. — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined above