Hotbed

A hotbed is a place or environment that fosters or encourages the growth or spread of something, often undesirable or negative, such as crime, dissent, or particular ideas. It can be a physical location, a social setting, or a metaphorical space. The term implies an atmosphere where something is actively cultivated and thrives, similar to how plants flourish in a heated bed. The origins of the word describe actual garden plots utilizing heat to cultivate plant life. The word carries a strong connotation of intensity and rapid proliferation.

Hotbed meaning with examples

• The city's neglected neighborhoods became a hotbed for gang activity, with poverty and lack of opportunity creating fertile ground for crime. Increased policing was needed. The desperation and ease of access created an environment where violence sadly flourished.
• During the Cold War, universities were sometimes considered **hotbeds** of leftist ideology, with students and professors openly challenging established political norms. The free exchange of ideas made them open for many things.
• Social media, with its echo chambers and algorithms, can quickly become a hotbed for misinformation and divisive content, spreading rumors rapidly. This environment can be hard to escape.
• The cramped conditions of the refugee camp created a hotbed for disease, with poor sanitation and overcrowding contributing to the rapid spread of illness. This happened quickly.
• Following the economic downturn, the factory town became a hotbed of resentment and political unrest, with residents feeling abandoned and unheard. The tensions in this place increased.