cushion
n. countablen. a soft bag filled with air or soft material that you use to make a seat more comfortable. You can also use it to protect something from hitting a hard surface.
n. a soft bag filled with air or padding, such as feathers or foam, used for sitting, kneeling, or softening the impact of a physical blow. Often used figuratively to describe a buffer that reduces the effect of a negative event.
I put a soft cushion on the wooden chair.
The thick velvet cushions on the sofa made the living room feel much more inviting for guests.
Having a substantial amount of savings in a high-interest account provides a financial cushion that protects the family against sudden job loss or unexpected medical expenses.
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”).
Commonly used with the verb 'to provide' when used in a figurative sense regarding safety or finance.