cushion

nouns

a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
"the old car needed a new set of shocks"
cushion, shock, shock absorber
the layer of air that supports a hovercraft or similar vehicle
cushion
is a type of (narrower)
single thickness of usually some homogeneous substance
"slices of hard-boiled egg on a bed of spinach"
bed, layer
a soft bag filled with air or a mass of padding such as feathers or foam rubber etc.
cushion
is derived from
cushiony
is a type of (narrower)
artifact consisting of soft or resilient material used to fill or give shape or protect or add comfort
cushioning, padding

verbs

protect from impact
"cushion the blow"
buffer, cushion, soften
is derived from
cushioning