laboratory

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

noun

, plural lab·o·ra·to·ries.

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 Words From

• labo·ra·tori·al adjective
• labo·ra·tori·al·ly adverb
• labo·ra·tori·an noun
• inter·labo·ra·tory 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

Instead, I find a series of hospital-style corridors, each leading to several small laboratories.

From BBC

He conducted this research work as a PhD/postdoctoral researcher in Professor Monteiro's laboratory at NUS, and is now a postdoctoral researcher at Duke University, USA.

From Science Daily

The other half learned Mini Pinyin in the evening and then slept in the laboratory overnight while their brain activity was recorded.

From Science Daily

"These exciting results are the culmination of nearly 30 years of collaborative research between my laboratory and Dr. Czerniecki's," Koski said.

From Science Daily

"I thought about how shaking an apple tree, whether by hand or with a gust of wind, makes ripe apples detach and fall," said Zargartalebi, a postdoctoral fellow in Kelley's laboratory.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• lab
• workshop