bed
noun (countable)
UK/bed/US/bed/
A piece of furniture for sleeping or resting on, typically consisting of a frame and a mattress; also, an area of ground for growing plants, or the bottom of a body of water such as a river or ocean.
Example Sentences
She made her bed every morning, ensuring the sheets were neat and tidy.
After a long day at work, he fell into bed, exhausted.
The rose bed in front of the house was carefully tended and bloomed beautifully all summer.
They waded through the shallow riverbed, searching for small fish and pebbles.
Because of limited space, she slept in a narrow bunk bed in her college dorm room.
Hotels often provide extra blankets to make the bed more comfortable for guests.
Bed frames can vary from simple wooden designs to luxurious, upholstered headboards, reflecting different décor styles and personal preferences.
A farmer prepares the seed bed before planting to ensure proper soil conditions that promote healthy growth and maximize crop yield.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
verb (transitive)
UK/bed/US/bed/
To provide with a sleeping place; to settle or embed something firmly into position; colloquially, it can also refer to having sexual intercourse with someone (though this usage is more informal).
Example Sentences
They decided to bed the animals in a warm barn for the night to protect them from the cold.
Construction crews must carefully bed pipes to ensure they remain secure underground.
He offered to let his traveling friend bed in his guest room for the week.
The archaeologists gently brushed away soil to bed the ancient relic safely in foam before transporting it to the lab.
Over time, her new habits began to bed in, becoming part of her daily routine.
They had to bed the tent stakes firmly into the ground to keep the tent stable in the strong wind.
When the project expands, we’ll need to bed additional staff in the on-site dormitories for convenience.
Although some details about the merger are still being negotiated, both companies hope the agreement will bed down smoothly by the end of the quarter.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
A piece of furniture meant for sleeping or resting.“Bed” is most commonly a noun referring to a piece of furniture designed for sleeping or lounging. It typically includes a frame to hold a mattress, which might be accompanied by pillows, blankets, and linens. Beds vary greatly in size (like twin, queen, king) and style (platform, bunk, canopy), each serving different personal preferences and space constraints. In everyday speech, you might say, “I’m going to bed” as shorthand for going to sleep, or “He left his book on the bed” to specify where an item is placed.Beyond the literal sense, the word “bed” can also appear in various idiomatic expressions. For instance, “to make your bed and lie in it” implies accepting the consequences of one’s actions. Meanwhile, “to put something to bed” sometimes means finishing or finalizing a project, as in publishing or newsroom terminology. In a different context, “flower bed” refers to a prepared plot of soil for planting flowers. When you use “bed,” ensure the context guides whether you mean a place to sleep, a finalization of a task, or a small section of ground for plants. Whether in everyday conversation or more formal writing, “bed” carries the warmth of rest and comfort, or the sense of a project that’s fully settled. Whichever direction you take, clarity and a brief context—talking about furniture, garden beds, or idiomatic usage—help convey your precise meaning.
Alternatives
If you’d rather not repeat “bed” or want slightly different connotations, choose words or phrases fitting your topic. For a furniture context, terms like “sleeping surface,” “cot,” or “mattress” can work, though they each highlight specific nuances—“cot” suggests a portable or temporary option, while “mattress” zeroes in on what you actually lie upon. If you need a broader or more decorative phrase, you might say “sleeping arrangement” or “resting spot,” which can convey comfort without being as direct. For garden contexts, you might specify “planting area,” “flower patch,” or “raised planter box,” clarifying that you’re referring to soil, not a sleeping surface. When addressing the idiomatic realm—like “put it to bed”—synonyms such as “finalize,” “wrap up,” or “conclude” can match the sense of completing a task. Each alternative shifts focus: either from the entire structure to just the mattress, from something permanent to something makeshift, or from furniture to idiomatic usage. Consider your audience: if you’re describing simple home arrangements, “mattress” or “cot” might suffice, while “sleeping surface” might appear in a more formal or technical discussion. Whatever your choice, ensure it matches the context—literal furniture, a patch of ground, or a metaphorical sense of concluding an activity.
Writing
When including “bed” in your writing, it helps to go beyond the single word to paint a fuller picture of setting, mood, or character. If you’re describing someone’s bedroom in a story, don’t stop at “a bed in the corner.” Show the details—the neatly tucked sheets, the color and texture of the comforter, the rumpled pillows that suggest poor sleep or a hurried morning. This level of detail draws readers in and informs them about the occupant’s personality or habits. For example, a tidy bed can imply discipline or meticulousness, whereas a constantly unmade bed might communicate a carefree or chaotic lifestyle.If your writing is more instructional or academic, using “bed” can be straightforward but still benefit from context. In a piece about interior design, you might note how bed placement impacts room flow or how certain bed styles—like canopy or platform beds—suit different aesthetics. In a more metaphorical sense, mentioning “bed” can help illustrate crucial turning points (“He put his grievances to bed, deciding to move on with his life”), which, with proper context, lets readers understand that a conflict or tension is being laid to rest. Always consider how much detail or emotional weight you want to attach to your references to “bed.” Sometimes you need just a matter-of-fact mention, while other times you’ll want to flesh out the associated atmosphere, giving depth to your narrative or instructions.
Casual Conversation
In daily conversation, “bed” crops up whenever discussing sleep, relaxation, or household routines. You might say, “I’m exhausted—time for bed,” or ask a friend, “Did you forget to make the bed this morning?” If you share a living space, bed references often arise in practical ways, like who’s taking which bedroom, or whether to buy a new mattress. Friends might tease, “Are you out of bed yet?” on a weekend morning, or observe that “It’s a struggle to get out of bed on Mondays.” These comments highlight daily challenges and routines around rest.When referencing enjoyment or wellness, someone might say, “I can’t wait to get back into my comfy bed tonight,” underscoring that bed is often a sanctuary of relaxation. Meanwhile, “breakfast in bed” conjures a cozy image of leisure and indulgence—perfect for weekends or special occasions. Even slang phrases like “I’m going to hit the sack” or “I’m heading to bed” reflect how integral bedtime is to a daily routine. If you’re having a casual chat about home improvement or redecoration, you might mention “getting new bedding,” “trying a different bed arrangement,” or “switching to a bigger bed,” marking small steps that can elevate comfort. Altogether, using “bed” in everyday talk is effortless—an anchor point for discussing rest, personal comfort, and the rhythms of daily life.
Etymology
The word “bed” comes from the Old English term “bedd,” originally referring to a place for sleeping or resting. This root reaches further back to Germanic origins, where “bed” simply denoted a plot prepared for rest—indeed, the same concept evolved into “flower bed,” a prepared area for plants. Over time, different cultures and eras developed distinctive bed styles: ancient civilizations used woven mats or raised platforms, medieval dwellings featured canopied four-posters, and modern societies diversified options to include futons, waterbeds, air mattresses, and memory foam. In many languages, a closely related term parallels the idea of a designated sleeping space, often the center of a bedroom. As living standards shifted and sleep research expanded, notions of comfort and healthy support led to new mattress technologies—springs, latex, foam, hybrid models. Yet, despite these evolutions, the underlying idea remains: a bed is a reliable spot to rest the body. In a broader sense, people still use “bed” metaphorically—“bed of roses,” “make your bed and lie in it,” “put to bed”—reflecting its consistent role throughout human history: the basic, comforting fixture that anchors our daily cycle of waking and sleeping.
