futon

American  

[foo-ton, fyoo-] / ˈfu tɒn, ˈfju- /

noun

• futons
  plural

1. a thin mattress, usually filled with layers of cotton batting and encased in cotton fabric, placed on a floor for sleeping, especially in traditional Japanese interiors, and folded and stored during the day.

---

futon British  

/ ˈfuːˌtɒn /

noun

1. a Japanese padded quilt, laid on the floor for use as a bed, or on a frame for use as a chair

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• futons
  plural

Etymology

Origin of futon

1875–80; < Japanese < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese pútuán rush-mat seat

Explanation

A futon is a flexible mattress on a frame: it can either be folded up to use as seating or unfolded to use as a bed. When your cousins come to stay, they might sleep on a futon in the living room. In the U.S., the word futon generally refers to the combination of a mattress and a light frame; in Japan, a futon is simply the mattress itself, usually stuffed with cotton and laid out on the floor for sleeping. If you visit a traditional Japanese home, you might sleep on a futon with a tatami mat beneath it and a duvet, or kakebuton, covering you.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

futon futons

The master bedroom features enough space for a king-sized bed, a futon, and comes with several windows that showcase the lush backyard.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 25, 2025

Nearby, a folding table was strewn with snacks, and a futon and couch were piled high with pillows and blankets.

From Slate ● Apr. 21, 2024

With a futon, a half-bath and bookshelf, it’s guest-ready too.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 30, 2022

Now, the 58-year-old pays $500 to sleep on a gray futon in the living room of an apartment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2022

His futon and his table, his kettle and toaster and television and the rest of his things, remain on Amsterdam Avenue.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Scouring the internet for tables, chairs, futons and bookshelves, I quickly found great options.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 9, 2025

Singles tired of looking at their sad futons wanted new and nicer living room furniture.

From New York Times ● Nov. 27, 2021

Scattered throughout the two floors were all manner of debris left behind by curious onlookers — a suitcase, a car bumper, a Yankee’s cap, multiple futons.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2020

They listed their spare rooms, air mattresses, couches and futons.

From The Guardian ● Mar. 17, 2020

I wonder if Stephen ever figured out what futons and duvets were.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood