bedpost: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, literary, idiomatic; somewhat dated in literal use.
Quick answer
What does “bedpost” mean?
A vertical support or pillar at one of the corners of a traditional bed frame, often used to support a canopy or as a decorative element.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A vertical support or pillar at one of the corners of a traditional bed frame, often used to support a canopy or as a decorative element.
The word can refer metonymically to the entire bedstead or the structure of the bed. It is also used idiomatically (e.g., 'between you, me, and the bedpost') to imply secrecy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The literal object is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes traditional, often antique furniture. The idiom is recognized in both varieties but is old-fashioned.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both. The idiom is slightly more attested in British corpus data.
Grammar
How to Use “bedpost” in a Sentence
[Adj] bedpostbedpost of [material]between [pronoun] and the bedpostVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
May appear in historical, literary, or furniture design texts.
Everyday
Rare in literal sense; the idiom might be used humorously or by older speakers.
Technical
Used in furniture making/restoration or antique cataloguing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bedpost”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bedpost”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bedpost”
- Using 'bedpost' to refer to a modern bed's headboard. Confusing 'bedpost' with 'bedside table'. Incorrect plural: 'bedposts' (correct) vs. 'bedpost' (for singular).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word. Its literal use is declining as traditional bed designs become less common. Its main use is in a fixed, somewhat old-fashioned idiom.
A 'bedpost' is typically a taller, often decorative vertical element at the corner of a bed frame, especially on four-poster beds. A 'bed leg' is a shorter support, often not as ornate, found on simpler bed frames.
No, 'bedpost' is exclusively a noun in standard English.
It is recognized but considered quite old-fashioned or literary. Most speakers would use simpler alternatives like 'between you and me' or 'just between us'.
A vertical support or pillar at one of the corners of a traditional bed frame, often used to support a canopy or as a decorative element.
Bedpost is usually formal, literary, idiomatic; somewhat dated in literal use. in register.
Bedpost: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɛdpəʊst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɛdpoʊst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “between you, me, and the bedpost (meaning: in strict confidence)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a POST at the corner of your BED. A BEDPOST holds up the past (traditional beds).
Conceptual Metaphor
STRUCTURE IS SUPPORT (the bedpost supports the bed as a column supports a building).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is 'bedpost' most likely to be used literally today?