bedspread

American  

[bed-spred] / ˈbɛdˌsprɛd /

noun

1. an outer covering, usually decorative, for a bed.

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bedspread British  

/ ˈbɛdˌsprɛd /

noun

1. a top cover on a bed over other bedclothes

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Etymology

Origin of bedspread

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; bed + spread

Compare meaning

How does bedspread compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• coverlet vs. bedspread

Example Sentences

In the ruins, Sabbagh picked out bits of his family's shattered life -- a scrap of his mother Afaf's bedspread, chunks of wooden furniture from their dining room, a red sofa cushion.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Perhaps that’s somewhat different from covering a duvet with a bedspread — although, in fairness, that doesn’t exist either.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

So Squire and his colleagues analysed everything they could see in Lucy's room: the bedspread, her outfits, her stuffed toys.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

I let him select a new bedspread and I can still remember the hippie patchwork red velvet one he chose.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

Mr. and Mrs. Trepid sat on the edge of their bed, staring at the contents of the pouch, which Mr. Trepid had emptied on the bedspread.

From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech