1
: a bed of soil enclosed in glass, heated especially by fermenting manure, and used for forcing or for raising seedlings
2
: an environment that favors rapid growth or development
a hotbed of activity
Examples of hotbed in a Sentence
a hotbed of political unrest
prerevolutionary Boston was viewed as a hotbed of treason by the British
Recent Examples on the Web
Months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer, New Jersey is already becoming a hotbed for short-term home rentals.
—
Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
For the kickoff of the 20-date Land of Hope & Dreams Tour – fittingly taking place in Minneapolis, a recent hotbed of political uprising – the first two songs of the set will stream for free on Springsteen’s YouTube channel.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
The gang wars, along with the self-defense groups that have popped up in response, have turned the region into a hotbed of terror for rural farmers.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Who knew a stuffy academic mixer would be such a hotbed of flirtation!
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hotbed
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Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
For the kickoff of the 20-date Land of Hope & Dreams Tour – fittingly taking place in Minneapolis, a recent hotbed of political uprising – the first two songs of the set will stream for free on Springsteen’s YouTube channel.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
The gang wars, along with the self-defense groups that have popped up in response, have turned the region into a hotbed of terror for rural farmers.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Who knew a stuffy academic mixer would be such a hotbed of flirtation!
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hotbed
Cite this Entry
“Hotbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hotbed. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hotbed
noun
hot·bed
ˈhät-ˌbed 
1
: a heated bed of soil enclosed in glass and used for growing seedlings
2
: an environment that favors rapid growth or development
a hotbed of innovation
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