pads 1 of 3

plural of pad
1
as in notebooks
a number of sheets of writing paper glued together at one edge the waitress keeps a pad in the pocket of her apron to write down orders

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
as in buffers
something that serves as a protective barrier a pad on the chair to keep it from getting scratched

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

pads

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of pad

pads

3 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of pad

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pads
Noun
The graying wrap their knees in thick white pads, still chasing Saturday-morning glory at 70. Sean Gregory, Time, 14 June 2026 There are eight other launch pads north of there within the Space Force station that are either active or gearing up for launches soon. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026 Parsons went on to self-release multiple full-length soundtrack albums of ominous sci-fi pads, glitchy electronics, and lulling melodies before A24 announced the release of a feature-length film. Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026 Granted, players weren’t in pads so physicality is practically eliminated for pass rushers. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026 That’s not going to show up in spring practices without pads. Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 11 June 2026 Dogs primarily regulate heat through panting and small sweat glands in their paw pads, according to the American Kennel Club. Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026 Most of the drone factories have been knocked out, most of the launching pads have been knocked out and most of the missile manufacturing areas have been knocked out. NBC news, 7 June 2026 Surgery staff not using defibrillator pads. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 June 2026
Verb
Adding the killer’s voice just pads an already too-long book. Maren Longbella, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025 Not to say there aren’t some clunkers, most notably a jokey take-me-out-to-the-ballgame baseball number that pads the second act, but the Flaherty-Ahrens score was and is Ragtime‘s signature achievement. Greg Evans, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025 The exchange is indicative of this odd, frustrating, occasionally intriguing project, which pads out scarce but real nuggets of insight with leading questions and endless clips. Alison Herman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025 Stanfield is the second new face named this month, after French actor Paul Kircher, as Anderson pads out the ranks of his men’s ambassadors following a rash of appointments on the women’s side. Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pads
Noun
  • Lunch boxes, markers, notebooks and notebook filler paper.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • The detention centers notably include a facility in Florida’s Everglades and another in Bunker Hill, Indiana, with the former detention center slated to hold up to 5,000 beds while the latter will have 1,000.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
  • The resulting footprint is T-shaped, creating numerous pockets of outdoor space just begging to be built out with cushy outdoor seating, raised garden beds, an al fresco dining room, or your very own lanai.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The longer the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, the greater the risk that the available buffers will be exhausted.
    Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 9 June 2026
  • Strong economic fundamentals—including low government debt and ample reserves—provided important buffers.
    Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • Forecasters expect damage to vehicles, roofs, siding and trees.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
  • Officials warned that flying debris could pose a serious threat to anyone without shelter, with damage to roofs, windows and vehicles likely, along with significant tree damage.
    Francie Ebert, NBC news, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • And a new report from the same source suggests what colors the cases for the iPhone 17 Pro will include.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Aronofsky enlisted Idles to capture the energy of the 1990s New York punk scene that colors Caught Stealing.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • In his typical spare and deliberate style, Romanian director Cristian Mungiu has crafted yet another Palme d’Or-worthy film that fearlessly treads into controversial issues in our society but pointedly doesn’t take sides.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 18 May 2026
  • Amid pretty painterly Paris backdrops, Chang treads miles for outstanding dining opportunities, such as Mắm from Hanoï in the trendy Sentier garment district; the restaurant’s casual appearance belies the high-quality veritable Vietnamese menu.
    Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Mobile reading continues to grow, especially among audiences who primarily consume entertainment on phones and tablets rather than dedicated e-readers.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • Android tablets, however, are not eligible for this offer.
    Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • The southwest corner offers a more communal vibe, with cozy chairs and couches around a coffee table, perfect for conversation.
    Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The audio in many of their videos is essentially cartoon sound effects, and much of what happens in them emphasizes their youth, from wearing Pokémon slippers and jumping on couches to feeding each other lollipops and playing water-bottle pranks.
    Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pads. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on pads

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster