Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

mattress

Syllabification: (mat·tress)
Pronunciation: /ˈmatrəs/
Translate mattress | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of mattress

noun

  • a fabric case filled with deformable or resilient material, used for sleeping on.
  • Engineering a flat structure of brushwood, concrete, or other material used as strengthening or support for foundations, embankments, etc..

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French and Italian from Arabic maṭraḥ 'carpet or cushion', from ṭaraḥa 'to throw'

Spell mattress with a double t and a double s.

mattress in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of mattress in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

GET PRO ►

Shop for an Oxford dictionary
Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …