mattress

noun

mat·​tress ˈma-trəs 

plural mattresses

1

a

: a fabric case filled with resilient material (such as cotton, hair, feathers, foam rubber, or an arrangement of coiled springs) used either alone as a bed or on a bedstead

b

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

2

: a device (as of interwoven brush and poles) used to protect a shoreline, bank, or streambed from erosion

Examples of mattress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This buoyant topper is designed to add softness, breathability, and height to any mattress. —Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2025

Throughout the space, there were places for the artist to rest—a daybed, an East African headrest, a wooden platform holding two mattresses and a sculpture. —Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 14 July 2025

If the pee is on a material like a carpet, rug, couch or mattress, blot away the excess liquid before going in with your urine-enzyme spray. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025

Score our favorite organic mattress from Birch's lineup, the Birch Luxe Natural, on sale during the event. —Julia Forbes, Wired News, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English materas, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin materacium, from Arabic maṭraḥ place where something is thrown

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing mattress

• air mattress
• mattress pad

Kids Definition

mattress

noun

mat·​tress ˈma-trəs 

1

: a fabric case filled with springy material used as a bed or on a bedstead

2

: a sack that can be filled with air or water and used as a mattress