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

A total of five people were taken to a hospital, one in serious condition, the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed earlier this week.

From Los Angeles Times

The two officers inside the fire truck that collided with the plane were also taken to hospital with injuries.

From BBC

Courtney rips the IV from her arm and escapes, barefoot and in a hospital gown.

From Salon

Various buildings in the city as well as the maternity hospital were damaged.

From BBC

The BBC was granted access to the state-run facility as a coalition of international solidarity movements arrived in Havana with boxes of aid donations for the maternity hospital.

From BBC

Related Words

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