bedlam

bed·lam

noun \ˈbed-ləm\

Definition of BEDLAM

1

obsolete : madman, lunatic

2

often capitalized : a lunatic asylum

3

: a place, scene, or state of uproar and confusion

— bedlam adjective

Examples of BEDLAM

1. The park had never had so many visitors at one time. It was total bedlam.
2. <French physician Philippe Pinel was instrumental in the transformation of bedlams from filthy hellholes to well-ordered, humane institutions.>

Origin of BEDLAM

Bedlam, popular name for the Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem, London, an insane asylum, from Middle English Bedlem Bethlehem

First Known Use: 1522

Related to BEDLAM

Synonyms: asylum, madhouse, institution

Related Words: hospital; halfway house, home; hospice, sanatorium, sanitarium, sanitorium

Near Antonyms: arcadia, heaven, paradise, utopia; order, orderliness, organization; calm, lull, peace, respite; hush, quiet, silence, stillness

see all synonyms and antonyms

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