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

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

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

From BBC

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

The reader feels the noose tighten and shares Ms. Chang’s distress as it becomes evident after 2018 that she can no longer visit her home country—or her mother’s deathbed.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Gawain’s deathbed he realizes what is at stake and writes to Lancelot to “make no tarrying” and come to Arthur’s rescue.

From The Wall Street Journal