First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1bed
noun \ˈbed\
: a piece of furniture that people sleep on
: something that is used to sleep on
: a small area of ground specially prepared for plants
Full Definition of BED
1
a : a piece of furniture on or in which to lie and sleep b (1) : a place of sex relations (2) : marital relationship (3) : close association : cahoots <a legislator in bed with lobbyists> c : a place for sleeping d : sleep; also : a time for sleeping <took a walk before bed> e (1) : a mattress filled with soft material (2) : bedstead f : the equipment and services needed to care for one hospitalized patient or hotel guest
2
: a flat or level surface: as a : a plot of ground prepared for plants; also : the plants grown in such a plot b : the bottom of a body of water; especially : an area of sea bottom supporting a heavy growth of a particular organism <an oyster bed>
3
: a supporting surface or structure : foundation
5
a : the place or material in which a block or brick is laid b : the lower surface of a brick, slate, or tile
6
: a mass or heap resembling a bed <a bed of ashes> <served on a bed of lettuce>
— in bed
: in the act of sexual intercourse
See bed defined for English-language learners
See bed defined for kids
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Origin of BED
Middle English, from Old English bedd; akin to Old High German betti bed, Latin fodere to dig
Related to BED
2bed
verb
: to have sex with (someone)
: to place (food) on a pile or layer of something else
bed·dedbed·ding
Full Definition of BED
intransitive verb
1
a : to find or make sleeping accommodations —usually used with down <a place to bed down> b : to go to bed —usually used with down <bed down at midnight>
2
: to form a layer
3
: to lie flat or flush
transitive verb
1
a : to furnish with a bed or bedding : settle in sleeping quarters —often used with down b : to put, take, or send to bed
3
a : to lay flat or in a layer b : to make a bed in or of
4
: to have sexual intercourse with
See bed defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BED
before 12th century
BEd
abbreviation
Definition of BED
bachelor of education
Other Education Terms
BED[1] Defined for Kids
1bed
noun \ˈbed\
Definition of BED for Kids
1
: a piece of furniture on which a person sleeps or rests
2
: a place for sleeping or resting <Deer made a bed in the grass.>
3
: sleep or a time for sleeping <She reads before bed.>
4
: a piece of ground prepared for growing plants
5
: the bottom of something <the bed of a river>
6
: 1layer 1 <a thick bed of rock>
2bed
verb
bed·dedbed·ding
Definition of BED for Kids
: to put or go to bed <She bedded down for the night.>
Medical Dictionary
bed
noun \ˈbed\
Medical Definition of BED
1
a : a piece of furniture on or in which one may lie and sleep—see hospital bed b : the equipment and services needed to care for one hospitalized patient
2
: a layer of specialized or altered tissue especially when separating dissimilar structures—see nail bed, vascular bed
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Seen & Heard
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