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

The interior is based around a 78 x 59-in (200 x 150-cm) island bed with high-density foam mattress. —New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026

Starts exploring licensing options, including one for mattresses in America. —Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026

At the same time, they are positioned as a step up from standard memory foam mattresses in terms of construction and materials. —Jason Phillips, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

When selecting an innerspring mattress, look for pocketed coils, which move independently to improve motion isolation. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 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