noun

pallet

a small, rough bed or mattress

He sleeps on a rough pallet beside the hearth.

Etymology

The word belongs to the French family for straw. A simple bed filled with straw supplied the origin of pallet as a small or makeshift sleeping place.

More examples

  • They spread blankets over the straw pallet.
  • The small room contains only a pallet and a stool.
  • She makes a pallet on the floor for the unexpected guest.

Forms

pallet · pallets

Similar words

cot
A small bed, usually with a frame rather than a rough mattress on the floor.
mattress
A mattress is any padded sleeping support; pallet suggests a simple or makeshift bed.