cush·ion·ing
ˈku̇-sh(ə-)niŋ 
: protection against force or shock provided by a cushion
Wearers will be able to pump air into the shoe's sole for extra cushioning.—
Joseph Pereira
Joseph PereiraLigaments keep the vertebrae in place during movement, and fibrous disks with jellylike centers provide cushioning between them.—Jane E. Brody
Jane E. BrodyAs part of NASA's "better, faster, cheaper" philosophy, the most recent missions to Mars largely relied on airbag cushioning for a soft landing.—Beth Daley
Beth DaleyEngineered flooring goes down over a thin foam sheet, which provides cushioning and sound-dampening.—Joseph Truini
Joseph Truini
: providing protection against force or shock : providing or serving as a cushion
Investigators are testing new kinds of cushioning material.—Think
ThinkThe ads will promote two key cushioning technologies …—Jeff Jensen
Jeff JensenNormal wear and tear also erodes the cushioning cartilage in our knees and hips, which decreases height a bit.—Bob Guldin
Bob GuldinBut when they become wet from perspiration, cotton or wool socks hold the moisture against your skin and lose their cushioning ability …—University Of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter
University Of California, Berkeley Wellness LetterThe mission also demonstrated a low-cost means of landing on Mars using cushioning airbags …—Astronomy
AstronomyExamples of cushioning in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sara Coughlin, SELF, 5 June 2025
The pair’s midsole, visible Gel cushioning and shoelaces come in an aged off-white look, and the sneaker also comes with alternate white laces for those who want to switch things up.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 June 2025
The Gel-Nimbus 26 delivers soft cushioning and stability without extra weight.
—Jennifer Vermeer, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2025
The footbed offers noticeable arch and heel support, while the cushioning is firm enough to stay stable without feeling stiff.
—Lauren Paige Richeson, Health, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cushioning
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Noun
That lofty cushioning also protects your feet from hard surfaces, which is key in preventing shin splints from developing or getting worse.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 5 June 2025
The pair’s midsole, visible Gel cushioning and shoelaces come in an aged off-white look, and the sneaker also comes with alternate white laces for those who want to switch things up.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 June 2025
The Gel-Nimbus 26 delivers soft cushioning and stability without extra weight.
—Jennifer Vermeer, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2025
The footbed offers noticeable arch and heel support, while the cushioning is firm enough to stay stable without feeling stiff.
—Lauren Paige Richeson, Health, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cushioning
Cite this Entry
“Cushioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cushioning. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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