bedlam

[bed-luhm]

noun

1. a scene or state of wild uproar and confusion.

   Synonyms: pandemonium, commotion, turmoil, clamor, chaos, tumult, disorder

2. Archaic.,  an insane asylum or madhouse.

bedlam

/ ˈbɛdləm /

noun

1. a noisy confused place or situation; state of uproar

   his speech caused bedlam

2. archaic,  a lunatic asylum; madhouse

Word History and Origins

Origin of bedlam¹

A popular name for the Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem in London, which served as a lunatic asylum from circa 1400; compare Middle English Bedleem, Bethleem, Old English Betleem Bethlehem

Word History and Origins

Origin of bedlam¹

C13 bedlem , bethlem , after the Hospital of St Mary of Bethlehem in London

Example Sentences

So Pages, juggling the beer bottles, took a moment to raise a toast to them in the bedlam of the victory celebration.

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When the ball clanged off the bright yellow pole, Judge raised his right hand toward the sky and tossed his bat to the ground, as bedlam erupted all around him.

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The bet, however, is that the bedlam that happens in a kitchen makes for high, irresistible drama.

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As you can imagine, it was online bedlam.

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Audiences loved the bedlam of ‘The Bear,’ but in Season 4 the creators want to show that order is not the enemy of genius and chaos can be an addiction too.

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