Meaning

A soft mass of material stuffed into a cloth bag, used for comfort or support..

Definitions by Sense

1. A soft mass of material stuffed into a cloth bag, used for comfort or support.
2. Something acting as a cushion, especially to absorb a shock or impact.
3. (figuratively) a sufficient quantity of an intangible object (like points or minutes) to allow for some of those points, for example, to be lost without hurting one's chances for successfully completing an objective.
4. (historical) The dancer in the cushion dance who currently holds the cushion, or the dance itself.
5. To furnish with cushions.
6. To seat or place on, or as on a cushion.
7. (figurative) To absorb or deaden the impact of.
8. (transitive, figurative) To conceal or cover up, as under a cushion.

Example Sentences

“There the cause of death was soon ascertained ; the victim of this daring outrage had been stabbed to death from ear to ear with a long, sharp instrument, in shape like an antique stiletto, which […] was subsequently found under the cushions of the hansom.[…]”

There were many wooden chairs for the bulk of his visitors, and two wicker armchairs with red cloth cushions for superior people. From the packing-cases had emerged some Indian clubs,[…], and all these articles[…] made a scattered and untidy decoration that Mrs. Clough assiduously dusted and greatly cherished.

Wisla made a bright start to the second half and Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer was twice called into action, first saving Gervasio Nunez's deflected 20-yard effort and then smothering Gargula's free-kick. But Fulham soon had the cushion of a third goal after more outstanding build-up play.

It will most likely not alter the destination of the league title, which still seems bound for City, who retain an 11-point cushion at the top

But of these kind of second Courses I am the onely Cook; though yet those ordinary practises of our Feasts, as choosing a King, throwing Dice, drinking Healths, trouling it Round, dancing the Cushion and the like, were not invented by the seven Wise Men but my Self, and that too for the common pleasure of Mankind.

The young man advances to the fiddler, drops a penny in the pot, and gives it to one of his companions. Cushion then dances round the room, followed by the pot, and when they again reach the fiddler, the cushion says, in a sort of recitative, accompanied by the music, 'This dance it will no farther go.'

In reference to a nuptial feast, the cushion dance at weddings is thus mentioned in the Apophthegms of King James, the Earl of Worcester and others (1658): “At last when the Masque was ended and Time had brought in the Supper, the Cushion led the Dance out of the Parlour into the Hall;”

to cushion a sofa

Word Forms

• cushions
• cushioning
• cushioned

Synonyms for cushion

Related Words

When Should You Use Cushion?

Use cushion when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions