deathbed

noun

death·​bed ˈdeth-ˌbed How to pronounce deathbed (audio)
1
: the bed in which a person dies
2
: the last hours of life
Phrases
on one's deathbed
: near the point of death

Examples of deathbed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Fast forward 50 years and a much older Springsteen is visiting Theiss on his deathbed as his former bandmate is dying of cancer. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 20 Mar. 2024 Also early on in the series, Cohen is seen on his deathbed a few months later. John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 Cosimo, the founder of the family’s public ambitions, had sponsored the translation of Plato’s writings and had excerpts read aloud to him on his deathbed. Claudia Roth Pierpont, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 If Sports Illustrated, the once-great magazine that defined high-quality sportswriting, isn’t on its deathbed, it’s at least been moved to hospice care. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 28 Jan. 2024 On his deathbed, Litvinenko blamed Putin for his imminent death. Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2024 In the sneak peek clip (above), James informs his colleagues that the news of boss Eric Forrester being on his deathbed has hit the media. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2023 This panel has long been a deathbed for sentence-stiffening bills. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2023 In some cases, children weren’t allowed to see parents on their deathbed. Wendell Cox, National Review, 15 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deathbed.' 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

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deathbed was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near deathbed

Cite this Entry

“Deathbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deathbed. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deathbed

noun
death·​bed -ˌbed How to pronounce deathbed (audio)
1
: the bed in which a person dies
2
: the last hours of life

Medical Definition

deathbed

noun
death·​bed ˈdeth-ˌbed How to pronounce deathbed (audio)
1
: the bed in which a person dies
2
: the last hours of life

More from Merriam-Webster on deathbed

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