Murphy bed

American  

noun

1. a bed constructed so that it can be folded or swung into a closet.

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Murphy bed British  

noun

1. a bed designed to be folded or swung into a cabinet when not in use

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Etymology

Origin of Murphy bed

1920–25; named after William L. Murphy (1876–1959), American inventor

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Murphy bed

One woman passed out flyers for a furnished studio in downtown L.A. with air conditioning, a Murphy bed, an in-unit washer and dryer and streaming TV.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2025

Chan updated the side-by-side spaces to include an art studio for Gerwin, an office and guest room with a Murphy bed and a small existing bathroom.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2024

The designer Annie Selke, for example, had California Closets install a Murphy bed in a home office at her vacation house in Palm Springs, Calif., which allowed the space to double as a guest room.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 12, 2024

Multipurpose design has come a long way since the Murphy bed was invented in 1900 to allow rooms to be “parlors” by day and bedrooms by night.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 13, 2023

So my husband and I gave up our bedroom to sleep on a Murphy bed in our living room.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 13, 2022