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.

That translated into custom upholstery; fabrics sourced from textile sellers Merchant & Mills and Notting Hill’s Cloth Shop; DeVol sconces; and cheery ruffled skirting in the kitchen. — Dipal Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026 Fabric or Upholstery Fabric or upholstery stains are inevitable, but cleaning them with the wrong products can make the damage even worse. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 24 Aug. 2026 Seats are wrapped in charcoal Mojave PurLuxe Premium upholstery, accented by contrast blue stitching and matching blue seatbelts, distinguishing it instantly from lower-tier Gravity variants. — New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026 Recently, my dad discovered these non-slip couch covers that protect the upholstery on their couches from dirty paws. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 17 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 2 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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