ottoman

1 of 2

noun

ot·​to·​man ˈä-tə-mən 

1

Ottoman

a

: a member of a Turkish dynasty founded by Osman I that ruled the Ottoman Empire

b

: a citizen or functionary of the Ottoman Empire

2

[French ottomane, from feminine of ottoman, adjective]

a

: an upholstered often overstuffed seat or couch usually without a back

b

: an overstuffed footstool

3

: a heavy clothing fabric characterized by pronounced crosswise ribs

Ottoman

2 of 2

adjective

Ot·​to·​man ˈä-tə-mən 

: of or relating to the Ottoman Empire or its citizens

Examples of ottoman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This versatile ottoman is storage, extra seating, a footrest, and a coffee table all in one sleek design. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Feb. 2026

Measuring 18 by 40 by 18 inches, the ottoman can withstand up to 250 pounds for extra seating and plenty of space for extra throw blankets, pillows, seasonal bedding, and more. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026

Besides the nightmarish creature, a mysterious ottoman was added to the middle of the bathroom floor, strengthening the case that an AI tool was involved. —Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 18 Feb. 2026

On Monday, a delivery notification showed the $400 ottoman was not there. —Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, adjective & noun, probably from Italian ottomano, from Arabic ʽothmānī, from ʽOthmān Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire

First Known Use

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1546, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ottoman

1 of 2 noun

ot·​to·​man ˈät-ə-mən 

plural ottomans

1

capitalized : a citizen or government official of the Ottoman Empire

2

: an upholstered footstool

Ottoman

2 of 2 adjective

Ot·​to·​man ˈät-ə-mən 

: of or relating to the Ottoman Empire, its rulers, or its citizens or government officials