featherbed

1 of 3

adjective

feath·​er·​bed ˈfe-t͟hər-ˌbed 

: 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

Examples of featherbed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

De Hales left Basilia, gave up his shop, and sold all of his possessions, including two feather beds, and some pots and utensils worth two shillings and sixpence. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2024

The records — in some cases, family wills that show enslaved human beings bequeathed along with feather beds and farm animals — provide a visceral link between today’s decision makers and slavery. —Reuters, NBC News, 27 June 2023

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

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

Rhymes for featherbed

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead

Kids Definition

feather bed

noun

: a mattress filled with feathers

also : a bed with such a mattress