'bedside' originates from Old English, specifically the words 'bedd' and 'sīde', where 'bedd' meant 'bed' and 'sīde' meant 'side'.

'bedside' changed from the Old English compound 'bedd-sīde' and eventually became the modern English word 'bedside'.

Initially, it meant 'the side of a bed', and over time it has largely retained that meaning while also being used adjectivally (e.g., 'bedside table', 'bedside care').