Origin: Germanic Old English prefix
Bedding has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
coverings that are used on a bed
"She spent her Saturday morning folding and arranging the fresh white bedding before guests arrived."
material used to provide a bed for animals
"The farmer brought fresh hay and straw to serve as bedding for his horses in the stable."
The textiles associated with a bed, e.g., sheets, pillowcases, bedspreads, blankets, etc.
"She spent her entire weekend folding and organizing the mismatched bedding in the guest room closet."
In plain English: Bedding is the sheets, pillows, and blankets you put on your bed to sleep comfortably.
"She spent all morning choosing new bedding for her guest room."
Usage: Bedding refers to the collective set of textiles used on a bed, such as sheets, pillows, and comforters. Use this term when discussing the linens or covers that make up the sleeping arrangement rather than the mattress or frame itself.
present participle of bed
"The children were bedding down on the floor before their parents returned from work."
In plain English: To bedding something means to cover it with soft materials like blankets or pillows.
"The farmer is bedding down his cattle for the night in the barn."
Usage: Do not use "bedding" as a standalone verb to mean making someone sleep; instead, use the simple present tense form "bed" or the past tense "bedded." The word "bedding" is strictly a noun referring to sheets and blankets or a grammatical participle of the verb bed.
The word entered English directly from Old English as a compound of bed and the suffix -ing. It has retained its original meaning throughout history without any significant shift in usage.