hotbed

noun

hot·​bed ˈhät-ˌbed How to pronounce hotbed (audio)
1
: a bed of soil enclosed in glass, heated especially by fermenting manure, and used for forcing or for raising seedlings
2
: an environment that favors rapid growth or development
a hotbed of activity

Examples of hotbed in a Sentence

a hotbed of political unrest prerevolutionary Boston was viewed as a hotbed of treason by the British
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.
Islands, long recognized as hotbeds of biological diversity, are just as much engines of linguistic diversity. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024 The area of the city near Sycamore Drive, Mahogany Way, Peppertree Way and L Street has been a hotbed of violence. Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024 London is a veritable hotbed of museums, galleries and cultural attractions, so exhibitions in the capital tend to get the Lion’s share of coverage. Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 Already in Shasta County, a hotbed of far-right nonsense, these watchers have videotaped, followed and harassed county workers so much that 10 of 21 workers in the elections office have quit, according to CalMatters. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hotbed 

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hotbed was in 1626

Dictionary Entries Near hotbed

Cite this Entry

“Hotbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hotbed. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

hotbed

noun
hot·​bed ˈhät-ˌbed How to pronounce hotbed (audio)
1
: a heated bed of soil enclosed in glass and used for growing seedlings
2
: an environment that favors rapid growth or development
a hotbed of innovation

More from Merriam-Webster on hotbed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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