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 bed frame

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

Deodorize Carpets & Fabric Surfaces Carpets, furniture, and mattresses can all benefit from a sprinkle of borax to remove odors. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 20 June 2026

Schrader also suggests using mattress and box spring encasements, which seal in any bugs already present and prevent new ones from thriving. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2026

This highly portable 2-inch mattress weighs only 14 ounces and packs down to the size of a water bottle. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

Look for bedbug shed skin, eggs and dot-like feces around the mattress and box spring seams, piping and tags. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 18 June 2026

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