ottoman

noun ot·to·man \ ˈä-tə-mən \

Updated on: 1 Apr 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

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Recent Examples of ottoman from the Web

Noord, its modular seating series, grows from a single ottoman ($995 and up) and armchair ($1,795 and up) to a number of two-, three- and four-seater variations, including single and double chaise sectionals ($2,495 to $7,790 and up).

— jenny xie, Curbed, "New furniture company marries high-end design with direct-to-consumer convenience," 19 Mar. 2018
The denim-blue armchair with matching ottoman works wonderfully in baby Helen's nursery, but would be an equally appealing reading nook in a grown-up's bedroom.

— perri ormont blumberg, Southern Living, "Ben and Erin Napier's Nursery for Baby Helen Is Cozy Country Perfection," 16 Mar. 2018
There is a tea service from his days as an Art and Crafts designer in Chicago (1914-15), and a pedestrian lounge and ottoman from 1938, marketed as the Grant Wood Lounge by a Cedar Rapids furniture maker.

— roberta smith, New York Times, "Grant Wood at the Whitney Both Thrills and Disappoints," 15 Mar. 2018
Three giraffes for over $3,600, a pink nursery glider chair with a matching ottoman for $4,200, and $550 for a silver high chair.

— rachel epstein, Marie Claire, "Kris Jenner Treats Khloé to $8,000 Worth of Nursery Items for Her Daughter," 9 Mar. 2018
The coastal town of Kavala is famous for its harbour and ottoman monuments.

— lisa zapalac, Houston Chronicle, "Prime property: Carlton Woods custom highlights pool, outdoor living areas," 2 Mar. 2018
The key to strengthening safely is to keep your lower back on the floor (or in this case, ottoman) throughout.

— leah prinzivalli, SELF, "The Equipment-Free Abs Workout Carrie Underwood's Trainer Does in Her Living Room," 9 Feb. 2018
Foot Rest This ottoman is the custom leather furniture of our dreams.

— alejandra bennett, Sunset, "10 Leather Pieces & Accents for a Modern Home," 22 Jan. 2018
This is his command post, this Doug Johnston ottoman.

— steven kurutz, New York Times, "A Tour of a Design Dealer’s Small Apartment in Chelsea," 27 Feb. 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

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

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

Learn More 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

Learn More about ottoman

Seen and Heard

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