1
: a soft pillow or pad usually used for sitting, reclining, or kneeling
2
: a bodily part resembling a pad
3
: something resembling a cushion: such as
a
b
c
: a pad of springy rubber along the inside of the rim of a billiard table
d
: a padded insert in a shoe
e
: an elastic body for reducing shock
f
: a mat laid under a large rug to ease the effect of wear
4
a
: something (such as an economic factor or a medical procedure) serving to mitigate the effects of disturbances or disorders
b
: a reserve supply (as of money)
c
: a comfortable lead
a 4–0 cushion in the ninth inning
cushioned; cushioning
ˈku̇-sh(ə-)niŋ 
1
: to seat or place on a cushion
2
: to suppress by ignoring
3
: to furnish with a cushion
a cushioned seat
4
a
: to mitigate the effects of
trying to cushion the blow
b
: to protect against force or shock
cushion the ride
5
: to check gradually so as to minimize shock of moving parts
Synonyms
Examples of cushion in a Sentence
Noun
There is a cushion under the rug to protect the floor.
We didn't have a financial cushion when my husband lost his job.
Verb
The pile of leaves helped cushion his fall.
The tax cut is meant to cushion the blow of soaring gas prices.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2024
Even better, they are supplied with a choice of velour or pleather ear cushions to suit the user.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
But instead of the dry, flaky mattes of our youth, these go on buttery soft and manage to cushion lips in peptides, hyaluronic acid, and botanical extracts for a hydrated, plump pout.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cushion 
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Noun
Remove the cushions and vacuum both sides and the crevices where the back and sides join.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2024
Even better, they are supplied with a choice of velour or pleather ear cushions to suit the user.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
Verb
In late October, the company raised $25 Billion in new credit and debt arrangements to cushion the cash crunch that will continue for at least a year.
—Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
But instead of the dry, flaky mattes of our youth, these go on buttery soft and manage to cushion lips in peptides, hyaluronic acid, and botanical extracts for a hydrated, plump pout.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cushion
Dictionary Entries Near cushion
Cite this Entry
“Cushion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cushion. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cushion
1 of 2 noun
cush·ion
ˈku̇sh-ən
1
: a soft pillow or pad to rest on or against
2
: something resembling a cushion in use, shape, or softness
3
: a rubber pad along the inner rim of a billiard table
4
: something serving to lessen the effects of something bad or unpleasant
cushion
2 of 2 verb
cushioned; cushioning
-(ə-)niŋ
1
: to place on or as if on a cushion
2
: to furnish with a cushion
3
: to soften or lessen the force or shock of
Medical Definition
cushion
noun
cush·ion
ˈku̇sh-ən
1
: a bodily part resembling a pad
2
: a medical procedure or drug that eases discomfort without necessarily affecting the basic condition of the patient
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