padding
PAD-ing
/ˈpædɪŋ/
Soft material used to fill or cover something to make it more comfortable or to protect it.
In sports, it specifically refers to the shock-absorbing layers in helmets, gloves, or mats.
The story behind the word. The word 'pad' originally referred to a soft saddle or a bundle of straw. By the 17th century, it came to mean any soft material used to stuff or protect something.
Word relationships
- cushioning: Cushioning is often for comfort; padding is often for protection.
Commonly confused with
- lining: Lining is a thin inner layer; padding is a thick, soft layer.
Word family
- pad (noun/verb): A piece of soft material; to add padding.
Collocations
- extra padding
- protective padding
- foam padding
- shoulder padding
Example sentences
- "The extra padding in the gloves helps protect the boxer's knuckles from impact." Boxing
- "The chair has very little padding and is quite uncomfortable." Furniture
Memory hook
Padding 'adds' a 'pad' of safety. Add a pad for safety.
When not to use
In writing, 'padding' refers to unnecessary words used to make a text longer; avoid using it in that sense when discussing sports.
Fun facts
- Early cricket padding was made of cane and straw before modern foam was invented.
Related words
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