- 1a thick piece of soft material that is used, for example, for absorbing liquid, cleaning, or protecting something medicated cleansing pads for sensitive skin sanitary pads (= that a woman uses during her period) see shoulder pad
of paper - 2a number of pieces of paper for writing or drawing on, that are fastened together at one edge a sketch/writing pad She always kept a pad and pencil by the phone. see notepad, scratch pad
- 3the soft part under the foot of a cat, dog, etc. A cat detects vibrations through the pads of its feet. for cleaning
- 4a small piece of rough material used for cleaning pans, surfaces, etc. a scouring pad for spacecraft/helicopter
- 5a flat surface where a spacecraft or a helicopter takes off and lands helicopter landing pads Two booster rockets will power the shuttle off the pad. see helipad, launch pad for protection
- 6[usually plural] a piece of thick material that you wear in some sports, for example football and hockey, to protect your legs, elbows, etc. of water plants
- 7the large flat leaf of some water plants, especially the water lily floating lily pads
- 8[usually singular] (old-fashioned) (informal) the place where someone lives, especially an apartment He moved back into his old bachelor pad (= a house or apartment in which a man who is not married enjoys life without family responsibilities). see ink pad, keypad
of soft material
Check pronunciation: pad