deathbed

noun

death·​bed ˈdeth-ˌbed 

1

: the bed in which a person dies

2

: the last hours of life

Phrases

on one's deathbed

: near the point of death

Examples of deathbed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This scene takes viewers back to the beginning, when his father is on his deathbed, and Ted shows no mercy. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 May 2025

Jasmine Guy plays Norma, a family matriarch on her deathbed, and Amber (Erivo) is an aspiring artist who has dedicated the last few years of her life to caring for her sick mother. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 8 May 2025

English writer and women’s rights activist Mary Wollstonecraft was so obsessed with her best friend that after her friend died, Wollstonecraft wore a mourning ring made of her friend’s hair until her own deathbed. —Laura Mills, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025

Maybe in the last episode of the series or on her deathbed. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deathbed

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

Kids Definition

deathbed

noun

death·​bed -ˌbed 

1

: the bed in which a person dies

2

: the last hours of life

Medical Definition

deathbed

noun

death·​bed ˈdeth-ˌbed 

1

: the bed in which a person dies

2

: the last hours of life