upholstery

noun

up·hol·stery (ˌ)əp-ˈhōl-st(ə-)rē

(ˌ)ə-ˈpōl-

plural upholsteries

: materials (such as fabric, padding, and springs) used to make a soft covering especially for a seat

Examples of upholstery in a Sentence

an old chair that needs new upholstery He learned upholstery from his father.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

This luxe accent chair invites fall into your home with its rich velvet upholstery and warm cinnamon shade. — Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026 The upholstery has upwards of 40 options, from checkered to boucle to velvet. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026 There’s a dust brush to gather hair, pet fur, and dust from upholstery, a crevice tool to reach between couch cushions, and a wide, flat brush to give your sofa an even better once-over. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 However, Razer claims that the synthetic leather upholstery is engineered to be 13 times more durable than standard PU leather. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upholstery

Word History

Etymology

Middle English upholdester upholsterer, from upholden to uphold, from up + holden to hold

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of upholstery was in 1597

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Upholstery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upholstery. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

upholstery

noun

up·hol·stery (ˌ)əp-ˈhōl-st(ə-)rē

(ˌ)ə-ˈpōl-

plural upholsteries

: materials (as fabric, padding, and springs) used to make a soft covering especially for a seat

upholstery

noun

Examples of upholstery in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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