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

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Etymology

Origin of deathbed

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

deathbed deathbeds

"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

"Imagine you're on your deathbed, think about what you would have done differently and do that," she says.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

“Yeah, but kids are going to love seeing a guy on his deathbed dropping something and saying, ‘Oh poop.’.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

When mother and son sing songs from the famous cycle by Bengali writer-composer and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore or hold a deathbed conversation in Bangla, the piece spins further across time and space.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026

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

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

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

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

It seems that the only time any of them change their minds is when they are on their own deathbeds and it's too late.

From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2021

Some people claimed they were Cooper on their deathbeds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2020

Panteley did nothing but sigh and complain of his feet, and continually alluded to impenitent deathbeds.

From The Bishop and Other Stories by Constance Garnett

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