1
: wads or material for making wads
2
: a soft mass or sheet of short loose fibers used for stuffing or padding

Examples of wadding in a Sentence

the last step is to fill the pillow with wadding and stitch it closed
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There was reportedly no wadding for the blanks. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2021 The wadding that created those poofy numbers is made of sustainable wool, for example. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wadding was in 1627

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Cite this Entry

“Wadding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wadding. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

wadding

noun
wad·​ding
ˈwäd-iŋ
1
: wads or material for making wads
2
: a soft mass or sheet of fibers used for stuffing or padding

Medical Definition

: a soft absorbent sheet of cotton, wool, or cellulose used especially in hospitals for surgical dressings

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