pad */

I UK [pæd] / US noun
Word forms "pad":
singular pad plural pads

1) [countable] a thick piece of a substance such as cloth, used for protecting something

You need pads on your knees and elbows for rollerblading.

knee/elbow/shin pads

a) a piece of a soft substance used for making something more comfortable

Insert the cushion pad into the cover.

b) a thick piece of cloth or other material used for cleaning

Never use coarse cleaning pads as this will scratch the surface.

c) a thick piece of a soft substance used for making something bigger or for changing its shape

The dress has foam pads in the shoulders.

d) a thick piece of cloth or other material used for preventing liquid from spreading

Try pressing on the wound with a large pad of cotton wool.

2) [countable] a set of sheets of paper fastened together along the top or one side, used for writing or drawing

Douglas scribbled the number on the pad by the phone.

3) [countable] a flat hard area where helicopters take off and land or where rockets are launched into space

4) [countable] informal the place where someone lives, especially a flat

5)

a) [countable] an area of soft flesh on the end of your finger or thumb

b) an area of flesh on the bottom of the foot of an animal such as a cat or dog

6) [singular] a quiet sound made by someone walking with light regular steps

She heard the pad of bare feet coming down the stairs.

II UK [pæd] / US verb
Word forms "pad":
present tense I/you/we/they pad he/she/it pads present participle padding past tense padded past participle padded

1) [intransitive] to walk with quiet light regular steps

pad across/down/into etc:

He got out of bed and padded across the carpet.

2) [transitive] to cover or fill something with a soft substance in order to protect it

The head guard is padded with foam.

a) to cover or fill something with a soft substance in order to make it more comfortable

Layers of foam mat can be used to pad the seat.

b) to cover or fill something with a soft substance in order to make it bigger or to change its shape

He had to pad his belly and cheeks for the role.

3) [transitive] to put false amounts or information on a document so that you get more money than you should

He was charged with padding expense claims and telephone bills.

Phrasal verbs:

- pad out

- pad up