deathbed

American  

[deth-bed] / ˈdɛθˌbɛd /

noun

• deathbeds
  plural

1. the bed on which a person dies.

   The museum contains Lincoln's deathbed.

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adjective

1. of, pertaining to, said, or done during the last few hours of a person's life.

   a deathbed confession.

idioms

1. on one's deathbed, in the last few hours before death.

deathbed British  

/ ˈdɛθˌbɛd /

noun

1. 1. the bed in which a person is about to die

   2. ( as modifier )

      a deathbed conversion

2. about to die

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• deathbeds
  plural

Etymology

Origin of deathbed

First recorded in 1350–1400, deathbed is from the Middle English word deethbed. See death, bed

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

deathbed deathbeds

“If you’re on your deathbed at 70, that’s 20 years of your life spent on a screen, not where your feet are at.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

"We are asking those involved in this illegal rendition that has put Dr Besigye on his deathbed be addressed and those responsible be held accountable," said Hussein Khalid of rights group Vocal Africa.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

The renal cancer he had first been diagnosed with in 2010 returned in 2022, and "I had to get this finished before I was on my deathbed," he said.

From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026

Opening on an already wild scene where the family members are bickering at the hospital deathbed of Linda’s mother, the events of “Big Mistakes” escalate quickly and considerably.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2026

I even felt safe from grandfather, whose deathbed curse usually spoiled my triumphs.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

The first occurred on July 4, 1826, when the last members of a generation of fiery patriots lay on their deathbeds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

“Why is ICE choosing to release people from custody who are on their deathbeds while they’re hospitalized?” said Eunice Cho, an attorney at the ACLU.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2022

At the time, social contact was limited to a bare minimum and many people were furious that they had been unable to visit loved ones on their deathbeds or attend funerals.

From Reuters ● Jan. 13, 2022

Perhaps we are bored of sharing stories of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients pleading from their deathbeds for others to learn from their mistakes.

From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2021

Haven't I just learnt that secret weddings of high people can happen at expected deathbeds by special licence, as well as low people at registrars' offices?

From The Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid by Thomas Hardy