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
Indianapolis conferences often draw law enforcement As a popular site for conventions and conferences, downtown Indianapolis in particular can be a hotbed for rumors.
—
Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 29 Jan. 2026
In recent years, Shasta County has been a hotbed for hard-right governance, election denialism and conspiracy theories.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Of these Buffalo has the most touristic appeals, with its downtown Canalside, a hotbed for skating, curling, ice biking and hockey surrounded by bars and restaurants, along with many other attractions and one huge one, nearby Niagara Falls.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
These sorts of chats aren’t only proliferating in Minnesota, the current hotbed of ICE activity.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hotbed
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Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 29 Jan. 2026
In recent years, Shasta County has been a hotbed for hard-right governance, election denialism and conspiracy theories.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Of these Buffalo has the most touristic appeals, with its downtown Canalside, a hotbed for skating, curling, ice biking and hockey surrounded by bars and restaurants, along with many other attractions and one huge one, nearby Niagara Falls.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
These sorts of chats aren’t only proliferating in Minnesota, the current hotbed of ICE activity.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hotbed
Cite this Entry
“Hotbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hotbed. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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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