- Main Entry:
- 1bed
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈbed\
- Function:
- noun
- Etymology:
- Middle English, from Old English bedd; akin to Old High German betti bed, Latin fodere to dig
- Date:
- before 12th century
1 a: a piece of furniture on or in which to lie and sleep b (1): a place of sex relations (2): marital relationship (3): close association : cahoots <a legislator in bed with lobbyists> c: a place for sleeping d: sleep; also : a time for sleeping <took a walk before bed> e (1): a mattress filled with soft material (2): bedstead f: the equipment and services needed to care for one hospitalized patient or hotel guest2: a flat or level surface: as a: a plot of ground prepared for plants; also : the plants grown in such a plot b: the bottom of a body of water; especially : an area of sea bottom supporting a heavy growth of a particular organism <an oyster bed> 3: a supporting surface or structure : foundation4: layer, stratum5 a: the place or material in which a block or brick is laid b: the lower surface of a brick, slate, or tile6: a mass or heap resembling a bed <a bed of ashes> <served on a bed of lettuce>
—
in bed : in the act of sexual intercourse
