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

The end credits feature several sequences, beginning with the band and Elton all bedridden in the hospital, wearing casts. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Testimony indicated that Polk had been providing in-home care for Margolick for several years after the older woman had COVID-19 and became bedridden and Zarnowitz hired nursing care for his wife. —Christina Hall, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Fore was once bedridden after a car crash at age 15. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Authorities said the child in that case has been left bedridden. —Megan Forrester, ABC News, 29 Aug. 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)