field bed
Low (specialized/historical)Technical / Historical / Military
Definition
Meaning
A portable, temporary, or collapsible bed designed to be easily set up and taken down, historically for military use in the field or for camping.
Any simple, temporary sleeping arrangement used in non-permanent locations; can refer to a basic bed in a makeshift setting (e.g., disaster relief, garden shed).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A compound noun where 'field' denotes an outdoor or non-domestic location. The term is more literal than metaphorical and carries functional/utilitarian connotations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference; both use the same term. More likely found in historical/military contexts in both regions.
Connotations
Both associate it with military history, camping, or basic temporary accommodation.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, slightly more common in historical military writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
set up a field bedsleep on a field bedpack away the field bedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not typically used.
Academic
Found in historical or military studies texts.
Everyday
Very rare; might be used when discussing camping gear or historical reenactment.
Technical
Used in military logistics, outdoor equipment specifications, or historical equipment descriptions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not commonly used as an adjective]
American English
- [Not commonly used as an adjective]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The soldier slept on a field bed.
- We have a field bed for guests.
- He assembled the field bed in a few minutes.
- The explorer's tent contained a simple field bed.
- Historical reenactors often use authentic field beds from the period.
- After the earthquake, aid agencies distributed field beds to displaced families.
- The museum's collection includes a Napoleonic-era officer's field bed, complete with its original canvas.
- While utilitarian, the design of the military field bed influenced modern portable sleeping systems.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bed you can take out into a FIELD; it folds up for easy carrying.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOBILITY IS PORTABILITY (a bed that can move like a person in the field).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'полевая кровать' unless in a historical military context; for modern camping, 'раскладушка' or 'походная кровать' is more natural.
- Do not confuse with 'field' as in agriculture (поле) – here it relates to 'battlefield' or 'open land'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'field bed' to mean a bed in a farm field (literal misinterpretation).
- Overusing for any temporary bed indoors (e.g., a guest bed).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'field bed' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are essentially synonyms. 'Camp bed' is more common in modern everyday language, while 'field bed' has a stronger historical/military connotation.
No, a sofa bed is a piece of domestic furniture. A field bed is specifically designed for portability and temporary use outdoors or in non-domestic settings.
It is largely historical. Modern militaries use terms like 'camp cot', 'folding cot', or specific model names for their sleeping systems.
Traditionally, a wooden or metal frame with a canvas or heavy cloth sleeping surface.