ottoman

noun ot·to·man \ ˈä-tə-mən \

|Updated on: 7 Jul 2018

Definition of ottoman

1 capitalized

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

[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

See ottoman defined for English-language learners

See ottoman defined for kids

Recent Examples of ottoman from the Web

For a quick moment, Kelly Orgeron uses the ottoman to demonstrate how a victim of scoliosis ties his or her shoes.

— ross dellenger, SI.com, "The Never-Before-Told Story of Kelly Orgeron, Colorful Wife of LSU's Colorful Head Coach," 2 July 2018
The startup has also added an ottoman and chaise to its lineup since launching.

— jenny xie, Curbed, "7 stellar sofas under $1,500 you can buy online," 30 Apr. 2018
Like the giant crepe paper flowers in the umbrella stand by the front door, or the library, where an exploded floral print covers the table and giant butterflies adorn the ottoman.

— celia barbour, House Beautiful, "A Historical Pennsylvania Home Is Refined and Casual All at Once," 14 Mar. 2018
Like many stretch limos, this one was equipped with a small bar, which served as the perfect ottoman on which Slava rested his feet.

— keith gave, Detroit Free Press, "Limousine crash ended Detroit Red Wings' summer of joy after just 6 days," 13 June 2018
So those ikat panels frame the seating area, and everything else is soft and muted: the ticking on the ottoman, the Fortuny print on the games table, the jacquard on the sofa.

— doretta sperduto, House Beautiful, "Architectural Details and Charming Florals Upgrade a New England Home," 30 Oct. 2017
Forensic reports matched the bullet pulled out of Pittman’s body to the weapon found on an ottoman in McGee’s home, prosecutors said.

— howard ludwig, Daily Southtown, "Chicago man found guilty in 2011 Harvey carjacking that killed mother of 6," 17 May 2018
The ottoman is one of many, tucked around a dining room table that was chosen in lieu of a display table.

— kaitlyn wylde, Vogue, "A First Look Inside Rebecca Atwood’s New Nolita Store, Where Prints Prevail," 15 May 2018
There’s nothing posh about Bill Clarke’s barely-there set; a grand piano, a chandelier, an armchair, an ottoman and a cartoonish revolving door.

— david lyman, Cincinnati.com, "Wanna see 'Clue' onstage? 'Murder For Two' might be for you," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ottoman.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of ottoman

1605

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

Ottoman

adjective Ot·to·man \ ˈä-tə-mən \

Definition of Ottoman

: of or relating to the Ottoman Empire or its citizens

See Ottoman defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of ottoman

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1546

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

OTTOMAN Defined for English Language Learners

ottoman

noun

Definition of ottoman for English Language Learners

: a low piece of furniture that has a soft top and that you can put your feet on when you are sitting : a soft footstool
: a long seat with no back that has a soft top and that typically has space inside where things can be stored

Learn More about ottoman

Spanish Central: Translation of ottoman Nglish: Translation of ottoman for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ottoman for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ottoman

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ottoman

Definition of ottoman

Recent Examples of ottoman from the Web

First Known Use of ottoman

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

Ottoman

Definition of Ottoman

Origin and Etymology of ottoman

Other Anthropology Terms

OTTOMAN Defined for English Language Learners

ottoman

Definition of ottoman for English Language Learners

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First Known Use of ottoman

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

Ottoman

Definition of Ottoman

Origin and Etymology of ottoman

Other Anthropology Terms

OTTOMAN Defined for English Language Learners

ottoman

Definition of ottoman for English Language Learners

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