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a
: a thin flat mat or cushion: such as
(1)
: a guard worn to shield body parts against impact
(2)
(3)
: padding used to shape an article of clothing
(4)
: a piece of usually folded absorbent material (such as gauze) used as a surgical dressing or protective covering
(5)
: a component of certain brake systems (such as disc brakes) consisting of a plate covered with a frictional material
(6)
: a piece of soft stuffed material used as or under a saddle
b
: a piece of material saturated with ink for inking the surface of a rubber stamp
2
: a collection of sheets of paper glued or fastened together at one end
3
a
: the cushioned thickening of the underside of the toes of an animal
b
: the foot of an animal
4
a
: living quarters
b
: bed
5
a(1)
: an area used for helicopter takeoffs and landings
(2)
: a section of an airstrip used for warm-ups or turnarounds
b
c
: a horizontal concrete surface (as for parking a mobile home)
6
a
: a floating leaf of a water plant
b
: the flattened, fleshy, paddle-shaped stem segment of a cactus (such as a prickly pear)
padded; padding
2
: to expand or increase especially with needless, misleading, or fraudulent matter
pad the sales figures
—often used with out they pad out their bibliographies—
J. P. Kenyon
J. P. Kenyon
padded; padding
: to traverse on foot
: to go on foot : walk
especially
: to walk with or as if with padded feet
the dog padded along beside him
padding around in bedroom slippers
: a soft muffled or slapping sound
Synonyms
Noun (1)
Verb (1)
Verb (2)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebClara Mcmahon, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2023
Caddell Construction is overseeing work on the Elmore prison, where the foundation pad and other preliminary work has been done.
—Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 22 Feb. 2023
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, as is a wireless smartphone charging pad and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot.
—Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 8 Feb. 2023
Outside, meanwhile, the generous bow area sports a large sun pad and a forward-facing panoramic sofa.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2023
Three stops in particular stood out: a pad save against Curtis Lazar, who was alone on the doorstep; a point-blank tip-in shot by Horvat on a power play; and a Luke Schenn breakaway coming out of the penalty box.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2023
When the entire pattern is filled in, and all stray pieces of yarn have been tied and trimmed, remove the carpet pad and cloth from the frame.
—Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2023
Small features like a rubber drag pad and an R-DST+ midsole foam (to help create a bouncy rebound) are just a couple of reasons why this shoe is next level.
—John Thompson, Men's Health, 3 Jan. 2023
The former completely re-envisions the popular amenity with improved accessibility, a new competition and recreation pool, water play amenities area, splash pad and bathhouse renovations.
—John Benson, cleveland, 22 Dec. 2022
Jason Gay, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2023
That’s why Little Gym owners are resisting Unleashed’s attempts to squeeze their profits to pad its own.
—Michael Corkery, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2023
Take advantage of their No Sweat First Bet to pad your bankroll.
—Chris Ilenstine, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2023
The Rangers also signed Andrew Heaney and traded for Jake Odorizzi to further pad out their rotation.
—Dallas News, 19 Dec. 2022
Rivera relied on her daughter and singer George Dvorsky to pad out the show.
—Charles Mcnultytheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2022
The filthy rich are about to pad their account – and that isn't a reference to free agent WR Odell Beckham Jr.'s Texas visit.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2022
Already owning more receiving yards than any other third-year player in NFL history with six games left to pad his total, Justin Jefferson has gained the trust of Kirk Cousins many times over.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 4 Dec. 2022
The site now generates a pop-up window asking for emails and phone numbers to pad the mailing lists of his nascent campaign and the Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 23 Nov. 2022
See More
Noun
This two-in-one product can be used as a walking pad and treadmill for both jogging and running, reaching a maximum speed of 7.5 miles per hour.
—Clara Mcmahon, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2023
Caddell Construction is overseeing work on the Elmore prison, where the foundation pad and other preliminary work has been done.
—Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 22 Feb. 2023
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, as is a wireless smartphone charging pad and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot.
—Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 8 Feb. 2023
Outside, meanwhile, the generous bow area sports a large sun pad and a forward-facing panoramic sofa.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2023
Three stops in particular stood out: a pad save against Curtis Lazar, who was alone on the doorstep; a point-blank tip-in shot by Horvat on a power play; and a Luke Schenn breakaway coming out of the penalty box.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2023
When the entire pattern is filled in, and all stray pieces of yarn have been tied and trimmed, remove the carpet pad and cloth from the frame.
—Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2023
Small features like a rubber drag pad and an R-DST+ midsole foam (to help create a bouncy rebound) are just a couple of reasons why this shoe is next level.
—John Thompson, Men's Health, 3 Jan. 2023
The former completely re-envisions the popular amenity with improved accessibility, a new competition and recreation pool, water play amenities area, splash pad and bathhouse renovations.
—John Benson, cleveland, 22 Dec. 2022
Verb
James isn’t a creaky late-stage legend hoisting unnecessary shots to pad his résumé.
—Jason Gay, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2023
That’s why Little Gym owners are resisting Unleashed’s attempts to squeeze their profits to pad its own.
—Michael Corkery, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2023
Take advantage of their No Sweat First Bet to pad your bankroll.
—Chris Ilenstine, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2023
The Rangers also signed Andrew Heaney and traded for Jake Odorizzi to further pad out their rotation.
—Dallas News, 19 Dec. 2022
Rivera relied on her daughter and singer George Dvorsky to pad out the show.
—Charles Mcnultytheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2022
The filthy rich are about to pad their account – and that isn't a reference to free agent WR Odell Beckham Jr.'s Texas visit.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2022
Already owning more receiving yards than any other third-year player in NFL history with six games left to pad his total, Justin Jefferson has gained the trust of Kirk Cousins many times over.
—Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 4 Dec. 2022
The site now generates a pop-up window asking for emails and phone numbers to pad the mailing lists of his nascent campaign and the Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 23 Nov. 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pad.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
origin unknown
Verb (2)
perhaps from Middle Dutch paden to follow a path, from pad path
Noun (2)
imitative
Noun (3)
Middle Dutch pad
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb (1)
1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb (2)
1553, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Noun (2)
1879, in the meaning defined above
Noun (3)
1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing pad
Articles Related to pad
Dictionary Entries Near pad
Cite this Entry
“Pad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pad. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
pad
2 of 4 noun1
a
: a thin flat mat or cushion
b
: a guard worn to shield body parts against impact
c
: a piece of usually folded absorbent material (as gauze)
d
: a piece of material that holds ink for inking a rubber stamp
2
a
: the hairy foot of some mammals (as a fox or hare)
b
: the soft thickening of the underside of the foot or toes of some mammals (as dogs)
3
: a floating leaf of a water plant
4
: a number of sheets of writing paper glued together at one edge
5
6
a
: living quarters : home
pad
3 of 4 verb
padded; padding
1
: to furnish with a pad or padding
2
: to expand with unnecessary or unimportant material
pad a speech
pad
4 of 4 noun
: a soft muffled or slapping sound
Etymology
Verb
probably from early Dutch paden "to follow a path"
Noun
origin unknown
Medical Definition
pad
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a usually square or rectangular piece of often folded typically absorbent material (as gauze) fixed in place over some part of the body as a dressing or other protective covering
b
2
: a part of the body or of an appendage that resembles or is suggestive of a cushion : a thick fleshy resilient part: as
a
: the sole of the foot or underside of the toes of an animal (as a dog) that is typically thickened so as to form a cushion
b
: the underside of the extremities of the fingers
especially
: the ball of the thumb
PAD
2 of 2 abbreviation
peripheral arterial disease
More from Merriam-Webster on pad
Nglish: Translation of pad for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of pad for Arabic Speakers
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