1. a charitable institution or almshouse where poor or elderly people are provided with housing and care
Usage: archaic; chiefly British

Examples

• The bedehouse was founded in the 16th century to shelter the destitute.
• She spent her final years in a bedehouse supported by the parish.
• Many bedehouses were established by wealthy merchants as acts of charity.
• The bedehouse provided food, shelter, and basic medical care to its residents.