air mattress

American

noun

a mattress, usually of plastic or rubber, that can be inflated for use, as in camping, and deflated for storage.

Etymology

Origin of air mattress

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To celebrate, an investor replaced his air mattress with a real bed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 12, 2025

They don’t make any sense either, but they at least look at each other’s faces with genuine fascination, trying to salvage this misfire like an air mattress under Evel Knievel.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2025

The fire department's use of the air mattress is also being investigated.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2024

Drivers who install the sleeping kit are able to make both front and back seats lay completely flat, then watch as a double-size air mattress unfolds and is automatically inflated.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 18, 2024

He turned to a program he enjoyed, and lay on an air mattress on his stomach, watching the show.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023