featherbed

verb [T]

/ˌfeð.əˈbed/

/-ɚ-/ (-dd-) disapproving

Definition

› to protect someone, especially a group of workers, too much and make things easy for themDefending and protectingBacking, supporting and defendingPreserving and saving › If a government featherbeds an industry, it gives it a lot of help, such as lower taxes, especially so that jobs will not be lost.Grants and allowances featherbedding

/-ɪŋ/ noun [U] › The taxpayer was forced to fund the featherbedding of a privatized rail company.Defending and protectingBacking, supporting and defendingPreserving and saving

(Definition of featherbed verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)