padding

[pad-ing]

noun

1. material, as cotton or straw, used to pad something.

2. something added unnecessarily or dishonestly, as verbiage to a speech or a false charge on an expense account.

3. the act of a person or thing that pads. pad.

padding

/ ˈpædɪŋ /

noun

1. any soft material used to pad clothes, furniture, etc

2. superfluous material put into a speech or written work to pad it out; waffle

3. inflated or false entries in a financial account, esp an expense account

Word History and Origins

Origin of padding¹

First recorded in 1820–30; pad ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Australia's batting vulnerability is at the top, with an ageing Usman Khawaja potentially padding up with a sixth opening partner since Warner retired early last year.

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Since she had recently skated across a hard wooden floor on her bottom, the extra padding was more than welcome.

Read more on Literature

In addition, they were used for applying paints and glazes, as portable drinking “cups,” and as padding for helmets.

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He added padding so the pumpkin didn’t split when he drove over bumps.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“He brought warmth, smiles, and comfort to everyone who walked through our doors.... The store won’t be the same without his little paws padding around.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times