featherbed
1 of 3adjective
feath·er·bed ˈfe-t͟hər-ˌbed 
: calling for, sanctioning, or resulting from featherbedding
a featherbed rule
a featherbed job
featherbed
2 of 3verb
featherbedded; featherbedding; featherbeds
intransitive verb
1
a
: to require that more workers be hired than are needed
b
: to limit production under a featherbed rule
2
: to do featherbed work or put in time under a featherbed rule
transitive verb
1
: to bring under a featherbed rule
2
: to assist (something, such as an industry) by government aid
feather bed
3 of 3noun
1
: a feather mattress
2
: a bed having a feather mattress
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Christina Julian, latimes.com, 3 July 2019 Blue-, orange-, and green-hued rooms have travertine showers and feather beds. Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2017
Noun
Villa-style accommodations with Italian furnishings, fireplaces and feather beds furthered the away-from-it-all feeling. Christina Julian, latimes.com, 3 July 2019 Blue-, orange-, and green-hued rooms have travertine showers and feather beds. Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2017 Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1938, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1949, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1