bedbug

noun

bed·​bug ˈbed-ˌbəg How to pronounce bedbug (audio)
: a wingless bloodsucking hemipterous bug (especially Cimex lectularius) sometimes infesting houses and especially beds and feeding on human blood

Illustration of bedbug

Illustration of bedbug

Examples of bedbug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The walls were lined with thousands of bedbugs, many dead, some alive. John Johnston, The Enquirer, 6 Dec. 2024 Proving that bedbugs transmit human disease would mean demonstrating three key things: first, that those microorganisms can survive and thrive in the body of a bedbug. Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024 While everyone believes in bedbugs, the same cannot be said for ghosts. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 25 Oct. 2024 Pest control later confirmed the insects in question were bedbugs, according to the email. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bedbug 

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bedbug was in 1708

Dictionary Entries Near bedbug

Cite this Entry

“Bedbug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedbug. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

bedbug

noun
bed·​bug ˈbed-ˌbəg How to pronounce bedbug (audio)
: a wingless bloodsucking bug sometimes infesting houses and especially beds

Medical Definition

bedbug

noun
bed·​bug ˈbed-ˌbəg How to pronounce bedbug (audio)
: a wingless bloodsucking bug (Cimex lectularius) sometimes infesting houses and especially beds and feeding on human blood

called also chinch

More from Merriam-Webster on bedbug

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!