bedridden

American  

[bed-rid-n] / ˈbɛdˌrɪd n /

adjective

1. confined to bed because of illness, injury, etc.

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bedridden British  

/ ˈbɛdˌrɪdən /

adjective

1. confined to bed because of illness, esp for a long or indefinite period

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Etymology

Origin of bedridden

1300–50; Middle English, variant (by confusion with past participle of ride ) of bedrid

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Explanation

Someone who's bedridden is so sick or elderly that they can't get out of bed. Your friend might have such a bad case of the flu that she's bedridden for several days and can't go to work or school. Most people who are bedridden are terribly ill and confined to their bed — or a hospital bed — until they recover. Very old people might also be bedridden because of weakness or pain. The word comes from the Old English bæddrædæn, "bedridden man," from the roots bedd, "bed," and rida, "rider."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bedridden

"You can use this knowledge to help bedridden patients. They also experience constipation and likely also have increased protein fermentation that may aggravate health conditions," concludes Lars Ove Dragsted, senior author of the paper.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

“Everyone knows their postman’s name — right?” a bedridden retiree nervously trills.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

My mother is bedridden and has very limited use of her hands.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026

The house he shares with his 86-year-old wife, who is partially bedridden, was not damaged, but he has only been permitted to visit it to pick up medication.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

The newspapers reported Seward’s carriage accident and described the serious injuries he had suffered, noting that he was recovering at home, bedridden.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

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Related Words

• ill
• incapacitated
• infirm
• invalid

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