Synonyms

Murphy bed

American

noun

a bed constructed so that it can be folded or swung into a closet.

Murphy bed British

noun

a bed designed to be folded or swung into a cabinet when not in use

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Murphy bed

1920–25; named after William L. Murphy (1876–1959), American inventor

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One woman passed out fliers for a furnished studio in downtown L.A. with air conditioning, a Murphy bed, an in-unit washer and dryer and streaming TV.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

Whether you’re installing bookshelves, a wall-mounted Murphy bed or full-on built-in furniture, you set your mark on your home with high-quality built-ins.

From Seattle Times • May 9, 2024

Chan updated the side-by-side spaces to include an art studio for Gerwin, an office and guest room with a Murphy bed and a small existing bathroom.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2024

Ariel Gordon, a jewelry designer, outfitted a backyard work-from-home studio with a Murphy bed from California Closets for the same reason.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2024

She’ll replace an antique dresser with a low cabinet-style Murphy bed.

From Washington Post • Dec. 13, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023