covering (padding and springs and webbing and fabric) on a piece of furniture
"The antique shop needed new upholstery to replace the worn-out padding and fabric on the vintage armchair."
the craft of upholstering
"The antique shop specializes in upholstery, restoring damaged furniture to their original glory."
The craft or business of upholstering furniture.
"The local workshop specializes in the upholstery of antique armchairs and sofas."
In plain English: Upholstery is the soft fabric and padding that covers furniture to make it comfortable to sit on.
"She bought new cushions to refresh the old armchair's upholstery."
Usage: Use this term to refer specifically to the trade, materials, or finished covering of furniture rather than the fabric alone. Avoid confusing it with "upholstered," which describes an item that has been fitted with padding and fabric.
First recorded 1597; from upholster (noun) or upholster(er) + -(er)y or -y.