bedridden

adjective

bed·​rid·​den ˈbed-ˌri-dᵊn 

variants or less commonly bedrid

ˈbed-ˌrid 

: confined (as by illness) to bed

Examples of bedridden in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Although many Christian families had fled, Mikhail did not want to abandon his bedridden daughter, leaving her only once the rebels stormed the Palmyra, looking for him. —Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

Bernadette Gaudio, bedridden due to a medical condition, was shot multiple times, resulting in paralysis. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

His misogyny is only exceeded by his bedridden father whose care falls to Delia in between her myriad other chores and odd jobs. —Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2024

Just last December the American gymnast was bedridden from a set of kidney diseases, and now, she’s added both a gold and bronze to her already stacked collection of Olympic medals. —Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English bedrede, bedreden, from Old English bedreda, from bedreda one confined to bed, from bedd bed + -rida, -reda, from rīdan to ride — more at bed entry 1, ride entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bedridden

adjective

bed·​rid·​den ˈbed-ˌrid-ᵊn 

: forced to stay in bed especially by illness or weakness

Medical Definition

bedridden

adjective

bed·​rid·​den ˈbed-ˌrid-ᵊn 

variants also bedrid

-ˌrid 

: confined to bed (as by illness)