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

Fans responded by burning mattresses on campus in anger and urinating on T-shirts with Kiffin’s face on them. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Under one shelf was a twin size mattress with bedding, under the other were shoes. — Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026

In the gymnastics room, mattresses lay on the floor for medical personnel to sleep on. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

High ceiling rooms with chunky stone walls are far from medieval; however, there are Coco-Mat mattresses and large balconies with spectacular views over to the Albanian coast opposite. — Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 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