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

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

The court was shown a 17-minute video shot by forensic police of Maradona on his deathbed, wearing a pair of football shorts and a black t-shirt pulled up to reveal a cavernous stomach.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

He learns the truth of Violetta’s sacrifice only in time to reconcile with her on her deathbed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

In contrast to the danse macabre sequences at the deathbed, Jill overhears the “celebratory sound” of a neighbor’s back yard evening wedding by torchlight.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

Your mother on her deathbed told you you were related to the rich Boston merchant?’

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes