: the side of a bed : a place beside a bed

bedside

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or conducted at the bedside
a bedside diagnosis
2
: suitable for reading in bed
a bedside book

Examples of bedside in a Sentence

Noun She sat at his bedside until the fever broke.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
When the nurses alerted her that her mom was in the process of dying, Stone didn't rush to her bedside. Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026 Among the standout pieces are a plush swivel chair that invites you to curl up with a good book, and a sleek nightstand that helps keep your bedside clutter-free. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Adjective
Then tell 'em to keep the tray for all the bedside meals in their future (hint, hint). Cailey Lindberg, Good Housekeeping, 24 Oct. 2022 The overhaul included sleeping quarters that featured queen-size beds and bedside tables, according to the report. Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for bedside

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bedside was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bedside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedside. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

bedside

noun
bed·​side
-ˌsīd
: the place beside a bed especially of a sick or dying person

Medical Definition

bedside

1 of 2 noun
: a place beside a bed especially of a bedridden person

bedside

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or conducted at the bedside of a bedridden patient
a bedside diagnosis
2
: suitable for a bedridden person
bedside reading
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