upholstery

[ uhp-hohl-stuh-ree, -stree, uh-pohl- ]

noun

, plural up·hol·ster·ies.

1. the materials used to cushion and cover furniture.
2. the business of an upholsterer.

upholstery

/ ʌpˈhəʊlstərɪ /

noun

1. the padding, covering, etc, of a piece of furniture
2. the business, work, or craft of upholstering

Other Words From

• reup·holster·y noun plural reupholsteries

Word History and Origins

Origin of upholstery¹

First recorded in 1640–50; upholster(er) + -y ³

Example Sentences

It has a hinged lid, is 48 inches wide and comes in blue, gray, brown or spice upholstery.

From Washington Post

An upholstery brush and crevice tool that can attach directly to the power unit or wand extension adds further uses on furniture, curtains, and stairs.

From Popular-Science

The well-bolstered seats now have updated upholstery, and those funky circular headrests look like something from a Flash Gordon spaceship.

From Washington Blade

But, if you’re reading this and thinking “not my problem, no carpets in my home,” bear in mind that the best carpet cleaner will also tackle stains on upholstery and on car interiors—so if you’ve got fabric, and you’ve got stains, keep reading.

From Popular-Science

These types of cleaners tend to be known as portable carpet cleaners, and they’re ideal for you if you don’t have a carpet, but you do have a rug, sofa, or car upholstery that you want to remove stains from at your discretion.

From Popular-Science

The newest coach seats drop the upholstery and, instead, are shells molded to the human spine.

From The Daily Beast

The cars had plush green upholstery and stained-glass windows and were faster and cheaper than a horse-and-buggy.

From The Daily Beast

There are oversized chandeliers, lots of tufted red-velvet upholstery and some damask wallpaper.

From The Daily Beast

An upholstery technique used in the 1700s makes the silk glued onto molded timberwork atop the bed look like liquid gold.

From The Daily Beast

At 8:00 a.m. sharp he pulled in to the lot at McBride Upholstery and returned the van.

From The Daily Beast

You may know it by all these signs of mahogany furniture, and leather upholstery, and waiters of reverential deportment.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Guy Poynton leaned back amongst the mouldy leather upholstery, and smiled complacently.

From Project Gutenberg

I'm your friend and fellow-laborer and partner in the cabinet business, and the upholstery line, and all the other lines.

From Project Gutenberg

Carlo Trent rebounded limply, groaning between cushions and upholstery.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a small sofa which stood opposite the door naked and unashamed, in all the hideousness of the original, ugly upholstery.

From Project Gutenberg