Deathbed Meaning
/ˈdɛθˌbɛd/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe bed on which someone dies.
nounThe last hours before death.
Sentence Examples
On his deathbed he asked me to continue writing to you.
He got religion on his deathbed.
CEFR Practice Quiz
He confessed his secrets on his ____ surrounded by loved ones.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
On his ____ he asked me to continue writing to you.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English dethbed, from Old English dēaþbedd (“deathbed; grave”), equivalent to death + bed. Cognate with Swedish dödsbädd (“deathbed”). Compare also Dutch sterfbed (“deathbed”), German Sterbebett and Totenbett (both “deathbed”), Danish dødsleje (“deathbed”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"He was once on his way to an old woman, who was on her death-bed and who had led a wicked life."
— 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 254:
"“Will you ask our oldest warriors to build me a barrow? Ask them to climb this headland and build me a death pile high on its top. Let my deathbed rise high above Hronesnesse.”"
— 1961, Norma Lorre Goodrich, “Beowulf”, in The Medieval Myths, New York: The New American Library, page 47:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
He confessed his secrets on his ____ surrounded by loved ones.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
On his ____ he asked me to continue writing to you.