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

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

Whether you’re installing bookshelves, a wall-mounted Murphy bed or full-on built-in furniture, you set your mark on your home with high-quality built-ins.

From Seattle Times • May 9, 2024

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

So the Mazureks added a Murphy bed — essentially a pull-down wall bed — to their living room, turning it into a space they could use as a bedroom at night.

From Washington Post • Dec. 13, 2022

The office also contains a secret: The teal wall unit with built-in shelving with artwork permanently affixed to its facade actually contains a full-size Murphy bed.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 30, 2022