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
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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
IN BED 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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