infirmary

American  

[in-fur-muh-ree] / ɪnˈfɜr mə ri /

noun

plural

infirmaries

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.

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infirmary British  

/ ɪnˈfɜːmərɪ /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of infirmary

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

Explanation

An infirmary is a hospital, or the area of an institution that's used as a hospital. If you come down with chickenpox at summer camp, you might have to spend a few nights in the camp infirmary. While you can call a hospital an infirmary, you're most likely to do this if you're British and referring to a specific hospital, like the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Infirmaries are usually spaces within larger buildings that provide healthcare. Inmates go to the prison infirmary when they're sick, and soldiers get their checkups at the military base infirmary. The earliest infirmaries were in monasteries. The Latin root is infirmus, "weak or frail."

Example Sentences

The SAS confirmed that it sent two ambulances to the incident and a woman had also been taken to hospital at the nearby Dumfries Infirmary.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

A fifth patient was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

The BBC's investigation featured testimony from whistleblowers who claimed the maternity units at Leeds General Infirmary and St James's Hospital were unsafe, despite being rated "good" by the Care Quality Commission watchdog at the time.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

Bill Trotter, 73, from Carlisle, Cumbria, was admitted to Cumberland Infirmary in May 2024 but died two months later after falling into a diabetic coma.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

He was plump and balding at his hairline—and a permanent fixture in the Infirmary.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

Related Words

• dispensary