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 WebAlesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2024
The sneakers rubber sole adds to their lightweight cushioning with a look that’s clean and retro, especially with a patent leather wraparound.
—Rudie Obias, Variety, 17 May 2024
Flat: These are low or flat arches that require additional cushioning or arc support.
—Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 16 May 2024
There’s lots of cushioning in the soles, though not in the tongue.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024
Plus, the soles are lined with memory foam to provide extra cushioning.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 13 May 2024
In addition to Nike’s famous air cushioning, this pair is partially made with recycled materials and is part of the brand’s big push toward becoming a zero-carbon, zero-waste company.
—Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2024
Brooks Glycerin 20 Running Shoe, $100 (Save 38%) $160 $100
The Glycerin 20 sneaker’s midsole is made of cushioning that’s soft, lightweight, and plush without feeling heavy.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
This cushioning whip-like SPF moisturizer from Supergoop!
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 8 May 2024
Noun
The broad criss-cross straps hold the foot securely, the footbeds have substantial cushioning, and the chunky soles offer a bit of a lift.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2024
The sneakers rubber sole adds to their lightweight cushioning with a look that’s clean and retro, especially with a patent leather wraparound.
—Rudie Obias, Variety, 17 May 2024
Flat: These are low or flat arches that require additional cushioning or arc support.
—Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 16 May 2024
There’s lots of cushioning in the soles, though not in the tongue.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024
Plus, the soles are lined with memory foam to provide extra cushioning.
—Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 13 May 2024
In addition to Nike’s famous air cushioning, this pair is partially made with recycled materials and is part of the brand’s big push toward becoming a zero-carbon, zero-waste company.
—Kristine Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2024
Brooks Glycerin 20 Running Shoe, $100 (Save 38%) $160 $100
The Glycerin 20 sneaker’s midsole is made of cushioning that’s soft, lightweight, and plush without feeling heavy.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
This cushioning whip-like SPF moisturizer from Supergoop!
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 8 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cushioning.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cushioning
Cite this Entry
“Cushioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cushioning. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
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