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 notesIn plain EnglishThe bed (or final hours) where someone is dying.
Common pairings
deathbed confession
deathbed promise
on his deathbed
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Word forms
- Plural
- deathbeds
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He made a promise to his father on his _____.
Etymology
From Old English deathbedd, a straightforward compound of death and bed.
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.
