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

During the day, the bed folds up via a split-hinge design that allows the foot section to lift clean to the ceiling and the midsection to fold back vertically against the alcove that houses the head of the mattress. —New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2025

Because of the rising trend, more and more hotels are offering sleep-specific packages with special mattresses, bedding, temperature and lighting. —Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025

Bradley Fullerton laid on his mattress and asked his cellmate to get him medical attention, according to the complaint. —Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025

Hotel beds, even those with the most comfortable mattresses, usually still feature a plush mattress topper. —Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 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