hotbed

noun

hot·​bed ˈhät-ˌbed 

1

: a bed of soil enclosed in glass, heated especially by fermenting manure, and used for forcing or for raising seedlings

2

: an environment that favors rapid growth or development

a hotbed of activity

Synonyms of hotbed

• center
• mecca
• nest

Examples of hotbed in a Sentence

a hotbed of political unrest

prerevolutionary Boston was viewed as a hotbed of treason by the British

Recent Examples on the Web

Aside from having great weather, California is also a hotbed for innovation, Huang has reasoned. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is a reliable hotbed of A-list talent, from the fashion world and beyond—and this year’s event was no exception. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Since the turn of the millennium, Latin America has become a hotbed of electronic dance music, warping countless homegrown rhythms at block parties, bedrooms, and mega clubs across the region. — Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026

The area saw its economic fortunes fall and in recent years has rebounded with a hotbed of new investment. — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hotbed

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

Kids Definition

hotbed

noun

hot·​bed ˈhät-ˌbed 

1

: a heated bed of soil enclosed in glass and used for growing seedlings

2

: an environment that favors rapid growth or development

a hotbed of innovation