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noun

deathbed

DEHTH-behd

Deathbed (noun) means the bed a person is lying on when they die, or the final hours of their life. Example: “He made a promise to his father on his deathbed.”

noun
1
The bed a person is lying on when they die, or the final hours of their life.
"He made a promise to his father on his deathbed."
"She wrote the letter on her deathbed."

How to use deathbed

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe bed (or final hours) where someone is dying.

Common pairings
deathbed confession deathbed promise on his deathbed

Word forms

deathbeds plural

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He made a promise to his father on his _____.

Etymology

From Old English deathbedd, a straightforward compound of death and bed.

Origin: Old English

Frequently asked questions

What does “deathbed” mean?

The word “deathbed” means the bed a person is lying on when they die, or the final hours of their life. In plain terms, the bed (or final hours) where someone is dying.

How do you pronounce “deathbed”?

“Deathbed” is pronounced DEHTH-behd (/ˈdɛθˌbɛd/ in IPA).

How do you use “deathbed” in a sentence?

Here is “deathbed” used in a sentence: “He made a promise to his father on his deathbed.”

What part of speech is “deathbed”?

“Deathbed” is a noun.

Where does the word “deathbed” come from?

The word “deathbed” comes from Old English. From Old English deathbedd, a straightforward compound of death and bed.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial