hospital

[ hos-pi-tl ]

noun

1. an institution in which sick or injured people are given medical or surgical treatment.
2. a similar establishment for the care of animals.
3. a repair shop for specific portable objects: doll hospital.

   violin hospital;

   doll hospital.

4. British. an institution supported by charity or taxes for people in need of care, as a children's home or nursing home.

hospital

/ ˈhɒspɪtəl /

noun

1. an institution for the medical, surgical, obstetric, or psychiatric care and treatment of patients
2. modifier having the function of a hospital

   a hospital ship

3. a repair shop for something specified

   a dolls' hospital

4. archaic.
   a charitable home, hospice, or school

Other Words From

• mini·hospi·tal noun
• multi·hospi·tal adjective
• post·hospi·tal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hospital¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (h)ospital, “lodging for pilgrims and travelers, hostel,” Old French (h)ospital, from Medieval Latin hospitāle “guesthouse, inn,” noun use of neuter of Latin hospitālis “hospitable,” equivalent to hospit- stem of hospes “guest, visitor, host” + -ālis -al ¹( def ); hospitium

Word History and Origins

Origin of hospital¹

C13: from Medieval Latin hospitāle hospice, from Latin hospitālis relating to a guest, from hospes, hospit- guest, host ¹

Example Sentences

They both declined being taken to a hospital, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

From Los Angeles Times

The driver of the bus has been taken to hospital as a precaution, Cambridgeshire Police said.

From BBC

She said they rushed Alfred to A&E and he is now recovering at home after a metal plate was fitted in his jaw at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.

From BBC

The panel heard that Ms Robinson had worked as a mental health nurse at the hospital, which provided in-patient care for men with complex and challenging mental health conditions.

From BBC

Jessica Robinson was working at Cygnet Hospital Wyke in Bradford when she contacted the patient on social media before they started a four-month relationship in 2022, a Nursing and Midwifery Council fitness to practise hearing was told.

From BBC

Related Words

• clinic
• emergency room
• hospice
• institution
• nursing home
• ward