bed / bed/ • n. 1. a piece of furniture for sleep or rest, typically a framework with a mattress and coverings: a large double bed she was in bed by nine getting out of bed is a real struggle. ∎  a bed and associated facilities making up a place for a patient in a hospital or for a guest at a hotel: a round of hospital staff layoffs and bed closings. ∎ inf. used with reference to a bed as the typical place for sexual activity: some men care very little about pleasing their partners in bed. 2. an area of ground, typically in a garden, where flowers and plants are grown: a bed of tulips. 3. a flat base or foundation on which something rests or is supported, in particular: ∎  the foundation of a road or railroad. ∎  the open part of a truck, wagon, or railroad car, where goods are carried. 4. a layer or pile of something, in particular: ∎  a layer of food on which other foods are served: the salad is served on a bed of raw spinach. ∎  a layer of rock or other geological material: a bed of clay. ∎  any mass or pile resembling a bed: pots steaming on the fragrant bed of coals. 5. the bottom of the sea or a lake or river: a riverbed. ∎  a place on the seabed where shellfish, esp. oysters or mussels, breed or are bred: mussel beds.• v. (bed·ded , bed·ding ) 1. [intr.] settle down to sleep or rest for the night, typically in an improvised place: he usually bedded down on newspapers in the church porch. ∎  (bed someone/something down) settle a person or animal down to sleep or rest for the night. 2. transfer (a plant) from a pot or seed tray to a garden plot: I bedded out these houseplants. 3. lay or arrange (something, esp. stone) in a layer.PHRASES: bed of nails a board with nails pointing out of it, as lain on by fakirs and ascetics. ∎ fig. a problematic or uncomfortable situation.bed of roses used in reference to a situation or activity that is comfortable or easy: farming is no bed of roses.get up on the wrong side of the bed start the day in a bad temper.in bed with inf. having sexual intercourse with: he found his wife in bed with one of the neighbors. ∎ fig. in undesirably close association with: these meetings with politicians put the gay movement in bed with the dreaded Establishment.make a bed fit a bed with sheets, blankets, and pillows.take to one's bed stay in bed because of illness.