bedside: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; common in everyday, medical, and care contexts.
Quick answer
What does “bedside” mean?
The area immediately beside a bed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The area immediately beside a bed.
Also refers figuratively to the place where medical care, attention, or personal comfort is given, especially in a medical context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slight preference in British English for 'bedside cabinet' vs. American 'bedside table'.
Connotations
Associated with intimacy, care, and vigilance in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common, with high frequency in medical and domestic settings.
Grammar
How to Use “bedside” in a Sentence
at somebody's bedsideby the bedsidebedside of [patient]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bedside” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The nurse checked the bedside observations chart.
- He reached for his bedside glass of water.
American English
- The doctor was praised for her excellent bedside manner.
- She plugged her phone into the bedside charger.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in 'bedside hospitality' for luxury hotels.
Academic
Common in medical and nursing literature.
Everyday
Very common in domestic and personal care contexts.
Technical
Core term in healthcare for equipment placement and patient interaction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bedside”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bedside”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bedside”
- Using 'bed side' as two words (should be one word or hyphenated as adjective).
- Confusing 'bedside' with 'headboard'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word as a noun ('at his bedside') and as an adjective ('bedside lamp'). The hyphenated form 'bed-side' is now archaic.
No, 'bedside' is not used as a verb.
The most common and important collocation is 'bedside manner', a key term in medicine and healthcare.
They are synonyms. 'Bedside table' is more common in British English, while 'nightstand' is slightly more common in American English.
The area immediately beside a bed.
Bedside is usually neutral to formal; common in everyday, medical, and care contexts. in register.
Bedside: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɛdsaɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɛdˌsaɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A good/bad bedside manner”
- “Keep a bedside vigil”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The SIDE of the BED. Picture a lamp or a doctor standing right by the SIDE of the BED.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROXIMITY IS ATTENTION/CARE ('She stayed at his bedside').
Practice
Quiz
What does 'bedside manner' specifically refer to?