featherbed

adjective

feath·er·bed | \ ˈfe-t͟hər-ˌbed

Definition of featherbed

(Entry 1 of 3)

: calling for, sanctioning, or resulting from featherbedding a featherbed rule a featherbed job

featherbed

verb

featherbedded; featherbedding; featherbeds

Definition of featherbed (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

1a : 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

noun

Definition of feather bed (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : a feather mattress

2 : a bed having a feather mattress

Examples of featherbed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Blue-, orange-, and green-hued rooms have travertine showers and feather beds. — Condé Nast Traveler, "Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa," 20 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'featherbed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.