laboratory

[lab-ruh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, lab-er-uh-, luh-bor-uh-tuh-ree, -uh-tree]

noun

plural

laboratories 

1. a building, part of a building, or other place equipped to conduct scientific experiments, tests, investigations, etc., or to manufacture chemicals, medicines, or the like.

2. any place, situation, set of conditions, or the like, conducive to experimentation, investigation, observation, etc.; anything suggestive of a scientific laboratory.

adjective

1. serving a function in a laboratory.

2. relating to techniques of work in a laboratory.

   laboratory methods; laboratory research.

laboratory

/ -trɪ, ləˈbɒrətərɪ, ˈlæbrəˌtɔːrɪ /

noun

1. 1. a building or room equipped for conducting scientific research or for teaching practical science

   2. ( as modifier )

      laboratory equipment

2. a place where chemicals or medicines are manufactured

Other Word Forms

• laboratorial adjective
• laboratorially adverb
• laboratorian noun
• interlaboratory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of laboratory¹

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin labōrātōrium workshop, equivalent to Latin labōrā ( re ) to labor + -tōrium -tory ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of laboratory¹

C17: from Medieval Latin labōrātōrium workshop, from Latin labōrāre to _labour

Example Sentences

Possible solutions include producing large amounts of islet cells in the laboratory from pluripotent human stem cells or developing methods that help transplanted donor islets survive longer and function more efficiently after transplantation.

Read more on Science Daily

"When your 'laboratory' is the atmosphere, it's not every day you can run experiments like this one. It was an invaluable opportunity to get a more accurate picture of what's happening on Earth."

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This has led to a surge of coaches from independent training facilities, low-level colleges and biomechanical laboratories, especially in the minors and player-development roles.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

More than 80% of the spores endured the full trip, and all but 11% of those survivors successfully germinated in the laboratory.

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The order calls for partnerships with private companies, universities and national laboratories, while mandating strict cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive research.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• lab 
• workshop