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nail bed
noun
: the vascular epidermis upon which most of the fingernail or toenail rests that has a longitudinally ridged surface often visible through the nail
Examples of nail bed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to shoppers, the glass dropper is especially helpful when applying the product to their eyelashes and nail beds.
—Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 23 May 2024
Treatment includes trimming away the separated nail, cleaning the nail bed, and applying a topical antibiotic.
—Heather L. Brannon, Md, Verywell Health, 9 May 2024
Trouble breathing or unusually rapid breathing, pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds.
—USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2024
Her body began overproducing skin cells that caused her nails to pit – a condition that occurs when the surrounding skin thickens and lifts fingernails and toenails out of the nail beds.
—Essence, 9 Jan. 2024
In a nutshell: additional length and layers added the nail bed.
—Olivia Muenter, Allure, 8 Jan. 2024
Severe cases, meanwhile, are still characterized by shortness of breath, chest pain or pale, gray or blue skin, lips or nail beds — an indicator of a lack of oxygen.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 21 Dec. 2023
Not to mention the attractive wide brush, which allows the nail bed to be covered in as few swipes as possible to avoid streakage.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2023
The nails can also appear to lift from the nail bed.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nail bed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1883, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near nail bed
Cite this Entry
“Nail bed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nail%20bed. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.
Medical Definition
nail bed
noun
: the vascular epidermis upon which most of the fingernail or toenail rests that has a longitudinally ridged surface often visible through the nail
also
: matrix sense 1b
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