bed and board


noun

living quarters and meals: In this school students must pay by the week for bed and board.
one's home regarded as exemplifying the obligations of marriage: He said he would not be responsible for her debts after she left his bed and board.

Origin of bed and board

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Definition for bed board (2 of 2)

bed board

or bed·board


noun

a thin, rigid board placed between a mattress and bedspring to give firm support.

Origin of bed board

First recorded in 1675–85

Example sentences from the Web for bed board

British Dictionary definitions for bed board

bed and board

noun

sleeping accommodation and meals
divorce from bed and board US law a form of divorce whereby the parties are prohibited from living together but the marriage is not dissolved

Idioms and Phrases with bed board

bed and board

Lodging and meals, as in Housekeepers usually earn a standard salary in addition to bed and board. This phrase was first recorded in the York Manual (c. 1403), which stipulated certain connubial duties: “Her I take ... to be my wedded wife, to hold to have at bed and at board.” Later bed was used merely to denote a place to sleep.