padding

American  

[pad-ing] / ˈpæd ɪŋ /

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.

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padding British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of padding

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

Example Sentences

Some workers use the term “lily padding” to describe career moves that are more about finding safe landing spots, or learning skills to become more employable, than about scoring bigger paychecks.

From The Wall Street Journal

My pod was roomy, with solid seat padding and a large TV screen that swiveled.

From The Wall Street Journal

Until then, however, chances are that Mercedes will keep padding its cushion atop the standings.

From The Wall Street Journal

A moment of silence, then the sound of his feet padding towards me.

From Literature

Sure enough, there was Mother padding about in the darkness.

From Literature