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
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
And speaking of Maryland, an entire episode will be devoted to uncovering how the state became a hotbed of lacrosse.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 May 2025
Under this model, leading U.S. research universities both supported existing industries and became hotbeds of entrepreneurship themselves.
—L. Rafael Reif, Foreign Affairs, 6 May 2025
The intensifying standoff between the Trump administration and Harvard is part of a broad pressure campaign against some of the nation’s most elite universities, which the administration has painted as hotbeds of antisemitism and discrimination that require federal intervention.
—Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 2 May 2025
For the Trump administration, Harvard presents the first major hurdle in its attempt to force change at universities that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hotbed
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Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 May 2025
Under this model, leading U.S. research universities both supported existing industries and became hotbeds of entrepreneurship themselves.
—L. Rafael Reif, Foreign Affairs, 6 May 2025
The intensifying standoff between the Trump administration and Harvard is part of a broad pressure campaign against some of the nation’s most elite universities, which the administration has painted as hotbeds of antisemitism and discrimination that require federal intervention.
—Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 2 May 2025
For the Trump administration, Harvard presents the first major hurdle in its attempt to force change at universities that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hotbed
Cite this Entry
“Hotbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hotbed. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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