cushion

Everyday

1. A soft bag filled with stuffing, used to make a seat more comfortable or to lean on. tree →
2. Something that makes a hit or fall softer: "a cushion of air". tree →
3. As a verb, to make a blow or fall softer. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, cushions sit on sofas and chairs. In science, materials like foam and air cushion falls and bumps; helmets and crash mats work this way. In safety lessons, landing mats cushion falls in gym. Phrases: sofa cushion, cushion the fall, cushion of air, whoopee cushion.

Examples

• I lay on the sofa with a cushion under my head. tree →
• The crash mat cushioned his fall. tree →
• Don't throw cushions in the living room! tree →
• A hovercraft rides on a cushion of air. tree →
• Bike helmets have foam to cushion your head. tree →
• My brother put a whoopee cushion on my chair. tree →
• And bring me also the golden cushion.’ tree →

Note

Countable. Spelling trap: c-u-s-h-i-o-n, said "KUSH-un". Americans may say "pillow" for a sofa cushion; in British English a pillow is mainly for a bed. In science, cushioning makes a stop take longer, so the force is smaller.

In Jewish tradition

In Ezekiel these are soft pads sewn by false prophetesses. They make people feel falsely safe about what is coming.

Interpretation. Ezekiel's words are read as a warning against false prophets who give comfort and ease when people need the truth.

Examples

• and say: Thus saith the Lord GOD: Woe to the women that sew cushions upon all elbows, and make pads for the head of persons of every stature to hunt souls! (Prophets EZK.13.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. Spelling trap: c-u-s-h-i-o-n, said "KUSH-un". Americans may say "pillow" for a sofa cushion; in British English a pillow is mainly for a bed. In science, cushioning makes a stop take longer, so the force is smaller.