cushion

US /ˈkʊʃ.ən/
UK /ˈkʊʃ.ən/
"cushion" picture
1.

a bag of cloth stuffed with soft material, used for sitting on or leaning against

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She fluffed the cushions on the sofa.
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He rested his head on a soft cushion.
:
pillowpadbolster
2.

something that protects against impact or provides a soft landing

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The air bags provide a safety cushion in a car crash.
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The thick carpet acts as a sound cushion.
:
bufferpadshock absorber
3.

a sum of money kept in reserve

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They have a financial cushion to fall back on.
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The company built up a cash cushion during the good years.
:
reservebuffercontingency fund
1.

to soften the effect of an impact or blow

:
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The thick snow helped to cushion his fall.
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The new policies are designed to cushion the impact of rising prices.
:
softenabsorbdampenlessenmitigate