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

Private rooms, mattresses, candles, eye masks, and custom playlists. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

The ordeal began when 56-year-old Hawkins placed a mattress against the door of the home to prevent the woman from leaving, officials said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026

The views from the bedrooms appear to be less exciting, and only one has closets, but there’s enough space in each for a king-size mattress. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 21 Sep. 2026

Cans, water containers, mattresses and crosses - seeming evidence of the home's former Christian occupants — lay scattered across a dirty room. — Diego Ibarra Sánchez, NPR, 19 Sep. 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