mat

thumb|A doormat inscribed with a message

A mat is a hard or soft floor covering that generally is placed on a floor or other flat surface. Mats serve a range of purposes including: serving to clean items passed over it, such as a doormat, which removes dirt from the soles of shoes protecting that which is above the mat, such as a wrestling or gymnastics mat, or an anti-vibration mat protecting that which is beneath the mat, such as a place mat