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

In it, Jefferson was a beacon of liberty who made a promise to his beloved wife on her deathbed never to remarry. —Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025

On Hamilton’s 100th birthday, Nixon wrote to Hamilton, then practically on her deathbed, to thank her for her century of work to improve people’s lives. —Daniel Stone, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025

In deathbed audio, Paul Reubens recalled pain of being falsely labeled a pedophile. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025

Following her father's deathbed request, Pipkin's daughter saved Silkwood's rear bumper, in hopes that modern science might shed new light on what happened. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024

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