bedridden

adjective

bed·​rid·​den ˈbed-ˌri-dᵊn 

variants or less commonly bedrid

ˈbed-ˌrid 

: confined (as by illness) to bed

Examples of bedridden in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, Jeremy and Esme agree to make the gamble, despite it meaning Jeremy will spend his final days bedridden and in pain. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Nov. 2025

Authorities said the child in that case has been left bedridden. —Megan Forrester, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025

According to the Central Bank, in the two months that US warships have been in the Caribbean — the same period in which Tita Carreño has been bedridden — the Venezuelan bolivar depreciated by 50% against the dollar, as people sought a safe haven in the foreign currency. —Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025

Hestrin said the child is bedridden and has cerebral palsy as a result of the abuse. —Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English bedrede, bedreden, from Old English bedreda, from bedreda one confined to bed, from bedd bed + -rida, -reda, from rīdan to ride — more at bed entry 1, ride entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bedridden

• unbidden
• bidden
• hidden
• midden
• ridden
• swidden
• gramicidin
• overridden

Kids Definition

bedridden

adjective

bed·​rid·​den ˈbed-ˌrid-ᵊn 

: forced to stay in bed especially by illness or weakness

Medical Definition

bedridden

adjective

bed·​rid·​den ˈbed-ˌrid-ᵊn 

variants also bedrid

-ˌrid 

: confined to bed (as by illness)