ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cushion

n. · v.
US //ˈkʊʃən// UK //kˈʊʃən// cush·ion
  1. 1 soft pillow (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a soft bag filled with feathers or foam that you use to make a chair more comfortable.

    a fabric envelope stuffed with soft, resilient material, used for sitting, kneeling, or leaning upon.

    Example

    He put a couple of extra cushions on the sofa to make it more comfortable.

    Example

    The interior designer selected velvet cushions in deep jewel tones to complement the minimalist aesthetic of the living room.
  2. 2 protection from impact (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    something that protects you from a hard hit or a sudden shock.

    a layer of material or air designed to absorb the force of a physical impact.

    Example

    The thick grass acted as a cushion when the child fell off the swing.

    Example

    Modern running shoes incorporate a gel cushion in the heel to reduce the repetitive stress on the runner's joints.
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  1. 3 extra time or money (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Finance

    an extra amount of something, like money or points, that keeps you safe if something goes wrong.

    a reserve of a resource, such as capital or time, that provides protection against unforeseen difficulties or losses.

    Example

    We have a small financial cushion in the bank for emergencies.

    Example

    The team maintained a three-goal cushion heading into the final ten minutes, allowing them to play more defensively.
  2. 4 to soften an impact (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make a hit or a bad situation feel less painful or difficult.

    to mitigate the effects of a physical impact or a negative event.

    Example

    The new tax laws were designed to cushion the blow for small businesses.

    Example

    The specialized packaging was engineered to cushion the delicate electronic components during international transit.
  3. 5 to provide with pads (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to put soft pads on something to make it comfortable.

    to furnish or equip an object with cushions or soft padding.

    Example

    The royal box was cushioned with red silk to welcome the guests.

    Example

    The artisan carefully cushioned the wooden bench with hand-stitched leather to ensure maximum comfort for the patrons.
Origin

From Middle English quysshyn, from later Old French coissin (modern coussin), from Vulgar Latin coxīnus (“seat pad”), derived from Latin coxa (“hip, thigh”) (with the suffix possibly after Latin pulvīnus (“pillow”)), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European koḱs- (“joint, limb”).

Idioms1 entry

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