deathbed

noun

death·​bed ˈdeth-ˌbed How to pronounce deathbed (audio)
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
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.
My grandmother understood the weight of this privilege and, on her deathbed, completed an absentee ballot in New York State. Earl Carr, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 The exhibition covers Kahlo’s entire lifetime, beginning with a photograph of her as a 4-year-old girl and ending with snapshots taken on her deathbed. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024 The youngest sister, Jillian—dutiful and made a little timid by the small scope of her life—has never left home, while the two middle sisters (Gloria and Ruby) are heading to their mother’s deathbed with various degrees of dread. Chloe Schama, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2024 In the candlelight, the two realize that Viserys was actually referencing the legendary Aegon the Conqueror on his deathbed, not his unstable grandson, who now sits on the Iron Throne. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for deathbed 

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of deathbed was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near deathbed

Cite this Entry

“Deathbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deathbed. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

deathbed

noun
death·​bed -ˌbed How to pronounce deathbed (audio)
1
: the bed in which a person dies
2
: the last hours of life

Medical Definition

deathbed

noun
death·​bed ˈdeth-ˌbed How to pronounce deathbed (audio)
1
: the bed in which a person dies
2
: the last hours of life

More from Merriam-Webster on deathbed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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