hospital

American  

[hos-pi-tl] / ˈhɒs pɪ 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.

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hospital British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• minihospital noun
• multihospital adjective
• posthospital adjective

Etymology

Origin of hospital

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

Example Sentences

In 2021, the late Prince Philip was photographed leaving hospital in the back of a car, which went viral and sparked multiple memes.

From BBC

It created loyalty, civic investment and philanthropy—the long-term commitment that built private schools, museums, hospitals, universities and cultural institutions.

From The Wall Street Journal

The other was a Senegalese man who died on the way to hospital, media reported.

From Barron's

Two people were found and one needed hospital treatment.

From BBC

The posters that hang in hospitals and clinics are nothing more than Band-Aids placed on a wound that won’t heal without surgery.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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