Advertisement
Advertisement
cushion
[koosh-uhn]
noun
a soft bag of cloth, leather, or rubber, filled with feathers, air, foam rubber, etc., on which to sit, kneel, or lie.
Synonyms:anything similar in form, used to dampen shocks or to prevent excessive pressure or chafing.
something to absorb or counteract a shock, jar, or jolt, as a body of air or steam.
Synonyms:something that lessens the effects of hardship, distress, or the like.
His inheritance was a cushion against unemployment.
Anatomy, Zoology.Ìýany part or structure resembling a cushion.
the resilient raised rim encircling the top of a billiard table.
a pad worn under the hair by women.
a portion of a radio or television script that can be adjusted in length or cut out altogether in order to end the program on time.
Ice Hockey, Canadian.Ìýthe iced surface of a rink.
a pillow used in lacemaking.
a leather pad on which gold leaf is placed preparatory to gilding.
verb (used with object)
to place on or support by a cushion.
to furnish with a cushion or cushions.
to cover or conceal with, or as if with, a cushion.
to lessen or soften the effects of.
to cushion the blow to his pride.
to suppress (complaints, lamentations, etc.) by quietly ignoring.
to check the motion of (a piston or the like) by a cushion, as of steam.
to form (steam or the like) into a cushion.
cushion
/ ˈ°ìʊʃə²Ô /
noun
a bag made of cloth, leather, plastic, etc, filled with feathers, air, or other yielding substance, used for sitting on, leaning against, etc
something resembling a cushion in function or appearance, esp one to support or pad or to absorb shock
the resilient felt-covered rim of a billiard table
another name for pillow
short for air cushion
a capital, used in Byzantine, Romanesque, and Norman architecture, in the form of a bowl with a square top
verb
to place on or as on a cushion
to provide with cushions
to lessen or suppress the effects of
to protect, esp against hardship or change
to check the motion of (a mechanism) gently, esp by the compression of trapped fluid in a cylinder
to provide with a means of absorbing shock
Other 51³Ô¹Ï Forms
- cushionless adjective
- cushionlike adjective
- uncushioned adjective
- well-cushioned adjective
- ˈ³¦³Ü²õ³ó¾±´Ç²Ô²â adjective
51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins
51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins
Origin of cushion1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
If camping, you’ll want to pack the usual gear, including a tent, sleeping bags, an air mattress or other cushioning, extra blankets and pillows.
A three-run second inning gave a nice cushion for pitcher Coral Williams, who threw a three-hitter with four strikeouts.
His political contributions equal what you or I would find between the couch cushions.
Brick walls and exposed piping contrast with wooden furniture, white couches and floor cushions and the warm glow of Noguchi lampshades.
He was five under from the 14th to the 18th and that detached him from the pack, giving him the cushion that meant his scrappy front nine on Sunday was not terminal.
Advertisement
When To Use
The word cushion most commonly refers to a soft object used to pad a surface or make it more comfortable to sit, stand, kneel, lie, or rest your head on.Couches have cushions that you sit on. A seat cushion is the kind on top of the seat of a chair. Pillows, mats, and pads are kinds of cushions. Cushions typically consist of a soft material filled with a soft or spongy substance, such as foam, feathers, or air (as in an air cushion)—anything that yields to pressure instead of remaining completely hard or firm.Example: The stuffing in these cushions needs to be replaced—look how flat they are. Another word for padding is cushioning. Something that has had a cushion or cushioning added to it can be described as cushioned. Something that is soft and comfortable like a cushion can be described as cushiony, as in Wow, this mattress is so soft and cushiony!As a noun, cushion can also be used in a figurative way to refer to a kind of buffer—something that helps to lessen the impact of negative circumstances or serves to delay such circumstances. An extra bit of money in your bank account for emergencies could be called a cushion.Cushion can also be used as a verb meaning to add cushions to or support with a cushion. It is commonly used in a more figurative way meaning to soften or lessen the impact of something. The mats used by gymnasts are intended to cushion their falls.In a literal sense, the verb phrase cushion the blow means to absorb the force from a strike, such as a punch, and lessen its effect. It is commonly used in a more figurative way, in which blow refers to the negative impact or consequences of something, as in I know the kids will be disappointed that the party is cancelled, but hopefully ice cream will cushion the blow.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse