bedbug

noun

bed·​bug ˈbed-ˌbəg How to pronounce bedbug (audio)
: a wingless bloodsucking hemipterous bug (especially Cimex lectularius) sometimes infesting houses and especially beds and feeding on human blood

Illustration of bedbug

Illustration of bedbug

Examples of bedbug in a Sentence

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.
An international flight scheduled to travel from Italy to Australia was abruptly canceled last week when a bedbug infestation was discovered in the cabin during an earlier flight, and the airline issued an apology for the incident. — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Bites appear similar to those from mosquitoes and can appear swollen and itchy, with symptoms getting worse if the person is allergic to bedbugs. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 As inspections continued, bedbugs were not found on the second floor. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026 In other words, after spinning her wheels for a year in Hollywood, living with bedbugs and helping other actors with their self-tapes, Cline had to fly back home to South Carolina to land the role that would make her career. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bedbug

Word History

First Known Use

1694, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bedbug was in 1694

Browse Nearby Words

bed book
bedbug
bedbug hunter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bedbug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedbug. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bedbug

noun
bed·​bug ˈbed-ˌbəg How to pronounce bedbug (audio)
: a wingless bloodsucking bug sometimes infesting houses and especially beds

Medical Definition

bedbug

noun
bed·​bug ˈbed-ˌbəg How to pronounce bedbug (audio)
: a wingless bloodsucking bug (Cimex lectularius) sometimes infesting houses and especially beds and feeding on human blood

called also chinch

More from Merriam-Webster on bedbug

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bedbug

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