flatbed

1 of 2

adjective

flat·​bed ˈflat-ˌbed 

: having a horizontal bed on which the work rests

a flatbed printing press

a flatbed scanner

flatbed

2 of 2

noun

: a motortruck or trailer with a body in the form of a platform or shallow box

Examples of flatbed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Earlier that morning, at about 4:30 a.m., a piece of construction equipment fell off a flatbed truck and landed on its side near the 20th Street off-ramp, according to a news release from state transportation officials. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2025

Blackwood climbed onto a front loader and drove it off the back of a flatbed truck. —Paige Williams, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025

Noun

As for the plane itself, TCS has created a custom Airbus A321 with a spacious cabin that offers leather flatbed seats for up to 52 guests, large lavatories, and full-length mirrors. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2025

My images required a larger flatbed scanner, and the damage needed professional help. —Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1892, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1944, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for flatbed

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

flatbed

1 of 2 adjective

flat·​bed ˈflat-ˌbed 

: having a horizontal bed on which material rests

a flatbed scanner

flatbed

2 of 2 noun

: a truck or trailer with a body in the form of a platform or shallow box