deathbed

American  

[deth-bed] / ˈdɛθˌbɛd /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of deathbed

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

Example Sentences

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

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

"She hasn't been out on the streets of Ballymena apart from when her mother was on her deathbed," he explained.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026

Related: When my friend was on her deathbed, her parents took $25,000 in cash and won’t give it to her son.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 19, 2026

They had also started using hushed voices whenever they spoke to Harry, as though he were on his deathbed.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling