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

"Even on her deathbed in the hospital, she said to me, 'I'm sorry you've been left with this'."

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The family thanked staff at the East Sussex hospital for their "incredible care" during his final hours, alongside everyone at the Eastbourne Gardens nursing home for their "care and compassion" in recent months.

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Separately, Nasser hospital in southern Gaza said it had received the remains of 45 dead Palestinians held by Israel on Tuesday.

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His experience offers valuable lessons for hospital administrators globally confronting resource constraints while striving to maintain quality care and research productivity.

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Mr Holmes also accompanied Theo and his father in the ambulance to hospital and continued carrying out chest compressions while Mr Jones used a bag valve and mask to push oxygen into Theo's lungs.

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Related Words

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