deathbed

noun

death·​bed ˈdeth-ˌbed 

1

: the bed in which a person dies

2

: the last hours of life

see also:

on one's deathbed

Examples of deathbed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These hairs, including a lock clipped at his deathbed, were in a packet provided by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello, and had not previously been available for analysis. — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

Luckily, Monticello had provided other clippings from his deathbed. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

On her deathbed in 1782, Martha is said to have made her husband promise not to remarry. — Andrew Lawler, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026

Hood said he’s been called to minister to those on the outskirts of society ever since his mentor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a seminary school, came out to him as gay on his deathbed. — Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing deathbed

• on one's deathbed

Rhymes for deathbed

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

deathbed

noun

death·​bed -ˌbed 

1

: the bed in which a person dies

2

: the last hours of life

Medical Definition

deathbed

noun

death·​bed ˈdeth-ˌbed 

1

: the bed in which a person dies

2

: the last hours of life