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

Though a mattress, allegedly covered in blood, was initially found inside the van, a judge later ruled through testing that there was no blood on it. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 18 July 2026

With a minimum of props—a chair here, a mattress there—Hujar posed his sitters in front of a gray backdrop or a white wall. — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

The wood slats also offer stability and a strong foundation for a mattress—no box spring required. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026

Firefighters first received a 911 call about a mattress on fire in the basement. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 16 July 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