Bedlam means a great deal of noise and disorder. People often say 'It was bedlam' to mean 'There was bedlam'.
The crowd went absolutely mad. It was bedlam.
He is causing bedlam at the hotel.
Synonyms: pandemonium, noise, confusion, chaos More Synonyms of bedlam
bedlam in British English
(ˈbɛdləm)
noun
1.
a noisy confused place or situation; state of uproar
his speech caused bedlam
2. archaic
an institution for the care of mentally ill people
Word origin
C13 bedlem, bethlem, after the Hospital of St Mary of Bethlehem in London
bedlam in American English
(ˈbedləm)
noun
1.
a scene or state of wild uproar and confusion
2. archaic
a place for the detention of people with psychiatric illnesses
Word origin
[a popular name for the Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem in London, which served asan asylum for the insane from ca. 1400; cf. ME Bedleem, Bethleem, OE Betleembethlehem]
Examples of 'bedlam' in a sentence
bedlam
Cue bedlam inside the Istanbul stadium.
The Sun (2016)
It spells absolute disaster and bedlam for Britain.
The Sun (2016)
Cue bedlam in the stands and relief for Brown.
The Sun (2009)
Cue bedlam in the stands and a funky chicken celebration from Nolan.
The Sun (2010)
Cue bedlam in the stands, not to mention on the Colombia bench.
The Sun (2014)
It will be a fast and furious derby, absolute bedlam, and there could be a red card.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
(noun)
Definition
a noisy confused situation
He is causing bedlam at the hotel.
Synonyms
pandemonium
There was pandemonium in the court as the verdict was delivered.
noise
There was too much noise in the room and he needed peace.
confusion
The rebel leader seems to have escaped in the confusion.
chaos
The country appears to be sliding towards chaos.
turmoil
a year of political turmoil
clamour
Kathryn's quiet voice stilled the clamour.
furore
an international furore over the plan
uproar
The announcement caused uproar in the crowd.
commotion
He heard a terrible commotion outside.
rumpus
He had left before the rumpus started.
babel
tumult
Round one ended to a tumult of whistles, screams and shouts.