Mattress Definition, Uses & Examples

Meaning 1：bed pad (Mattress)

Mattress 🔊

/ˈmætrɪs/

A soft, thick pad that you put on a bed to lie on when you sleep, making the bed comfortable.

Fluffy mattress on wooden bed frame in sunny bedroom

bed pad 🔊

➕

/bɛd pæd/

A thick, soft pad placed on a bed frame to provide a comfortable surface for sleeping.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Arabic 'matrah' (place where thrown) → Old French 'materas' → English 'mattress'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'mat' (floor covering) + 'tress' (hair strands). A mattress is a soft mat for your head (hair) to rest on.

📖 Example

My back feels much better since I started sleeping on a new memory foam mattress. 🔊 Since I switched to a memory foam mattress, my back pain has eased significantly.

🔗 Collocations

memory foam mattress – A mattress made from viscoelastic polyurethane foam that conforms to the body.

mattress topper – A thick layer placed on top of a mattress to alter its firmness or comfort.

box spring mattress – A mattress set that includes a supportive base with springs.

🔄 Synonyms

mattress pad (n.) – A thin protective or padding layer placed directly over a mattress.

mattress topper (n.) – A thick add-on layer for extra cushioning on a mattress.

mattress cover (n.) – A removable fabric cover that encases a mattress for protection.

📖 Cultural Story

The word traces back to Arabic 'matrah' meaning 'a place to throw something', originally a cushion. It entered Europe via trade routes in the Middle Ages and evolved into the modern sleeping surface.