This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
laboratory
[ lab-ruh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, lab-er-uh-; British luh-bor-uh-tuh-ree, -uh-tree ]
/ ˈlæb rəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, ˈlæb ər ə-; British ləˈbɒr ə tə ri, -ə tri /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun, plural lab·o·ra·to·ries.
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.
any place, situation, set of conditions, or the like, conducive to experimentation, investigation, observation, etc.; anything suggestive of a scientific laboratory.
adjective
serving a function in a laboratory.
relating to techniques of work in a laboratory: laboratory methods; laboratory research.
QUIZ
ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ
There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!
Question 1 of 7
True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.
Origin of laboratory
OTHER WORDS FROM laboratory
lab·o·ra·to·ri·al, adjectivelab·o·ra·to·ri·al·ly, adverblab·o·ra·to·ri·an, nounin·ter·lab·o·ra·to·ry, adjectiveWords nearby laboratory
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use laboratory in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for laboratory
laboratory
/ (ləˈbɒrətərɪ, -trɪ, US ˈlæbrəˌtɔːrɪ) /
noun plural -ries
- a building or room equipped for conducting scientific research or for teaching practical science
- (as modifier)laboratory equipment
a place where chemicals or medicines are manufactured
Often shortened to: lab
See also language laboratory
Word Origin for laboratory
C17: from Medieval Latin labōrātōrium workshop, from Latin labōrāre to labour
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012