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

Joshua was treated in hospital for his injuries.

From BBC

A brother and sister who claim their father died because of medical mistakes say they are prepared to leave his body in a hospital mortuary until they "get answers".

From BBC

Having spent so much time on the Schiehallion ward at Glasgow's children's hospital, she knows others who have not survived their illnesses.

From BBC

He is currently in hospital in stable condition, say reports.

From BBC

While nationally progress is being made, 31 hospital trusts have gone backwards and another 17 have made little progress out of the 129 services examined.

From BBC

Related Words

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