bedpost

American  

[bed-pohst] / ˈbɛdˌpoʊst /

noun

1. one of the upright supports of a bedstead.

2. Bowling. bedposts, a split in which the seven and ten pins remain standing.

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bedpost British  

/ ˈbɛdˌpəʊst /

noun

1. any of the four vertical supports at the corners of a bedstead

2. informal confidentially; in secret

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Etymology

Origin of bedpost

First recorded in 1590–1600; bed + post ¹

Example Sentences

A single bird swoops into the sick room, landing on the bedpost.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

He was raised working-class in Salford, near Manchester, and first heard hints of the stateside musical revolution by pressing his ear to his bedpost on Sunday nights.

From New York Times • May 10, 2023

Gretchen Catherwood keeps the cross her son was wearing on a chain around her bedpost with his dog tags.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2021

The initial proposal for The Post’s new slogan was “In the dark, democracy trips over the sleeping cat of tyranny and bangs its shin painfully on the bedpost of complacency.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 22, 2018

Heavily disoriented, I staggered to my feet, grasping onto a bedpost to keep from falling.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros