Illustration of bedbug
bedbug
noun
bed·bug ˈbed-ˌbəg 
: a wingless bloodsucking hemipterous bug (Cimex lectularius) sometimes infesting houses and especially beds and feeding on human blood
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Stagg picks apart modern dating by examining her own experiences and giving us picturesque vignettes about young people living with bedbugs. 
Zoë Hu, The New Republic, 28 Oct. 2019 On Monday, baggage checker Omar Spry placed each piece of luggage in a zippered tent that could be heated to 120 degrees to kill bedbugs. Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2020 Buy Photo Martin Overline started killing bedbugs overseas while serving in the Air Force in 1978. Julia Terruso, Philly.com, 5 July 2018 Even before the pandemic hit the state, DES was juggling quite a bit, preparing for federal cuts to food assistance while managing a bedbug infestation and attempting to expand job-training programs for low-income residents. Maria Polletta, azcentral, 20 Mar. 2020 Where travelers may benefit from cleaning their luggage is if there's a suspicion that their hotel room has a bedbug infestation. Natalie B. Compton, chicagotribune.com, 4 Dec. 2019 A week later, the second report surfaced with the sighting of a bedbug on the fourth floor. USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2019 Unlike people who call Bret Stephens a bedbug, the intention and effect of these campaigns is actually to silence dissent, criticism, and debate. Libby Watson, The New Republic, 6 Sep. 2019 Bret Stephens’ reaction to being called a bedbug on Twitter is just the latest example of male fragility on display from men who often quick to gripe about political correctness, writes Rex Huppke. Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, 29 Aug. 2019 See More
Zoë Hu, The New Republic, 28 Oct. 2019 On Monday, baggage checker Omar Spry placed each piece of luggage in a zippered tent that could be heated to 120 degrees to kill bedbugs. Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2020 Buy Photo Martin Overline started killing bedbugs overseas while serving in the Air Force in 1978. Julia Terruso, Philly.com, 5 July 2018 Even before the pandemic hit the state, DES was juggling quite a bit, preparing for federal cuts to food assistance while managing a bedbug infestation and attempting to expand job-training programs for low-income residents. Maria Polletta, azcentral, 20 Mar. 2020 Where travelers may benefit from cleaning their luggage is if there's a suspicion that their hotel room has a bedbug infestation. Natalie B. Compton, chicagotribune.com, 4 Dec. 2019 A week later, the second report surfaced with the sighting of a bedbug on the fourth floor. USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2019 Unlike people who call Bret Stephens a bedbug, the intention and effect of these campaigns is actually to silence dissent, criticism, and debate. Libby Watson, The New Republic, 6 Sep. 2019 Bret Stephens’ reaction to being called a bedbug on Twitter is just the latest example of male fragility on display from men who often quick to gripe about political correctness, writes Rex Huppke. Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, 29 Aug. 2019 See More Word History
First Known Use
1708, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
bedbug
noun
bed·bug ˈbed-ˌbəg
: a small wingless insect that sucks blood and is sometimes found in houses and especially in beds
Medical Definition
bedbug
noun
bed·bug ˈbed-ˌbəg
: a wingless bloodsucking bug (Cimex lectularius) sometimes infesting houses and especially beds and feeding on human blood
called also chinch