laboratory
Americannoun
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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.
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any place, situation, set of conditions, or the like, conducive to experimentation, investigation, observation, etc.; anything suggestive of a scientific laboratory.
adjective
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serving a function in a laboratory.
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relating to techniques of work in a laboratory.
laboratory methods; laboratory research.
noun
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a building or room equipped for conducting scientific research or for teaching practical science
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( as modifier )
laboratory equipment
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a place where chemicals or medicines are manufactured
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of laboratory
1595–1605; < Medieval Latin labōrātōrium workshop, equivalent to Latin labōrā ( re ) to labor + -tōrium -tory 2
Explanation
A laboratory is a place where experiments happen, usually scientific experiments involving chemicals and lab coats, but there are creative and athletic laboratories too, where people experiment with writing and footballs. When you think of a laboratory, you might see men and women wearing face masks pouring colorful liquids into test tubes, and you’d be correct. Any place that is a testing ground for new ideas is a laboratory, like a class full of people thinking up new ways to make paper airplanes. The Latin verb laborare means “to labor,” so remember that a laboratory is a place of hard work: you can’t spell laboratory without labor in it.
Vocabulary lists containing laboratory
List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lozano's laboratory develops, manufactures, and tests electrospray propulsion systems for satellites ranging in size from a lunchbox to a small carry-on suitcase.
From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026
A bedroom or a bunker is a plausible laboratory in a way it has never been for previous dual-use technology.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
The review brings together several kinds of evidence, including laboratory research, clinical reports, and historical herbal records.
From Science Daily • Jun. 7, 2026
The real test, he says, is what happens in the human trials as our immune systems are different to laboratory mice as ours have been shaped by years of infections.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
I know that the language I am looking for will not be found in the corners of this laboratory, but that doesn’t stop me from searching.
From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
