featherbed

1 of 3

adjective

feath·​er·​bed ˈfe-t͟hər-ˌbed How to pronounce featherbed (audio)
: calling for, sanctioning, or resulting from featherbedding
a featherbed rule
a featherbed job

featherbed

2 of 3

verb

featherbedded; featherbedding; featherbeds

intransitive verb

1
a
: to require that more workers be hired than are needed
b
: to limit production under a featherbed rule
2
: to do featherbed work or put in time under a featherbed rule

transitive verb

1
: to bring under a featherbed rule
2
: to assist (something, such as an industry) by government aid

feather bed

3 of 3

noun

1
: a feather mattress
2
: a bed having a feather mattress

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Villa-style accommodations with Italian furnishings, fireplaces and feather beds furthered the away-from-it-all feeling. Christina Julian, latimes.com, 3 July 2019 Blue-, orange-, and green-hued rooms have travertine showers and feather beds. Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2017

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

Adjective

1938, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1949, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near featherbed

feather ball

featherbed

feather bed

Cite this Entry

“Featherbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/featherbed. Accessed 30 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

feather bed

noun
: a mattress filled with feathers
also : a bed with such a mattress
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