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

There are tons of options, including crisp European linen and breathable organic percale to refresh your mattress. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Nov. 2025

Refresh your home or start from scratch with curtains, mattresses, blankets, chairs, couches, mirrors, and more. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025

The beds have saggy mattresses. —Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025

Sales include 40-50% off women’s shoes, 75% off fine jewelry, 50-60% off men's coats, 20-40% off LEGO building sets, 70% off select mattresses and $50-$350 off Dyson homecare products. —Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 22 Nov. 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