bedpost

[ bed-pohst ]

noun

1. one of the upright supports of a bedstead.
2. bedposts, Bowling. a split in which the seven and ten pins remain standing.

bedpost

/ ˈbɛdˌpəʊst /

noun

1. any of the four vertical supports at the corners of a bedstead
2. between you and me and the bedpost informal.
   confidentially; in secret

Word History and Origins

Origin of bedpost¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; bed + post ¹

Example Sentences

They’re steam-your-glasses hot and there are enough of them to seize your interest and handcuff it to a bedpost – if that is, indeed, your interest.

From Washington Blade

But a dashing, magnetic fifty-eight-year-old matinee idol with three ex-wives notched on his bedpost?

From The Daily Beast

With just shy of 60,000 entries, this site lets you record each of your individual sexploits like a notch on a virtual bedpost.

From The Daily Beast

Brother Phil, not yet old enough for trousers, stands at her side; and that boy with his hand on the knob of the bedpost is Dorry.

From Project Gutenberg

As he spoke, he took from his coat pocket on the bedpost an envelope containing his commission and other papers.

From Project Gutenberg

Cynthia thrust her hands into imaginary pockets, leaned languidly against the bedpost, and rolled her eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

He leaned his tired head against the bedpost, turning his face to the east.

From Project Gutenberg

If there's a worm in every hole in that bedpost, we could go into the fish business.

From Project Gutenberg