infirmary

[ in-fur-muh-ree ]

noun

, plural in·fir·ma·ries.

1. a place for the care of the infirm, sick, or injured; hospital or facility serving as a hospital:

   a school infirmary.

2. a dispensary.

infirmary

/ ɪnˈfɜːmərɪ /

noun

1. a place for the treatment of the sick or injured; dispensary; hospital

Word History and Origins

Origin of infirmary¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word infirmāria. See infirm, -ary

Example Sentences

For the jail’s infirmary, there are options including adding new steel-braced frames.

From Los Angeles Times

He was susceptible to infection as a diabetic, but doctors in the infirmary did not stop the wound from festering, according to a lawsuit that was handwritten and filed by the prisoner.

From Seattle Times

Wednesday at a hospital in Trenton after he was found unresponsive in his cell in the New Jersey State Prison infirmary, news outlets reported, citing the state department of corrections.

From Seattle Times

As the museum’s all-purpose infirmary for anything classified as a book, the team constantly meets with fresh challenges in the form of artists’ books.

From New York Times

Walker was placed alone in a cell in the prison infirmary, a unit where he could be overseen by medical staff, according to the lawsuit.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• dispensary