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 Word Forms

• minihospital noun
• multihospital adjective
• posthospital 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

Two Austrian women, who were switched at birth at a hospital in the southern city of Graz have finally met each other 35 years later.

From BBC

Police swept the premises at the hospital just after 7 a.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting a shooting, according to a department spokesperson.

From Los Angeles Times

In the last World Cup, for example, Pulisic wound up in the hospital after scoring a gutsy first-half goal against Iran that sent the U.S. on to the knockout stage.

From Los Angeles Times

The judge told the defendant, who had been on remand throughout his trial, that the options for his sentencing next month included prison or two types of hospital order.

From BBC

The other allowed people to receive services at home that are generally provided in a hospital.

From Salon

Related Words

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