armrest

American  

[ahrm-rest] / ˈɑrmˌrɛst /

noun

1. a projecting, often padded support for the forearm, as at the side of a chair or sofa or between seats in a theater, car, or airplane.

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armrest British  

/ ˈɑːmˌrɛst /

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: arm.  the part of a chair, sofa, etc, that supports the arm

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Etymology

Origin of armrest

First recorded in 1885–90; arm ¹ + rest ¹

Example Sentences

The rear cabin matches the front in molded-leather magnificence, with two deep-seated, high-bolstered rear chairs cozied up between the wheel wells, sharing an armrest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Flight attendants are there primarily to ensure safety, Rosenberg said, not to referee social dynamics: “There should not be an expectation that flight attendants will settle armrest disputes.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Another gripe linked to the amount of space people have on planes is double armrest hogging.

From BBC • Sep. 28, 2024

At every seat was a thoughtfully created armrest with a wide, flat surface that begged to have a pad balanced upon it.

From Salon • Aug. 31, 2024

I’m sitting in my usual place, fiddling with the loose string on the armrest, a throw cushion decorated with orange, blue, and yellow beads stitched in a pattern of repeated circles in my lap.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam