laboratory

American  

[lab-ruh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, lab-er-uh-, luh-bor-uh-tuh-ree, -uh-tree] / ˈlæb rəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, ˈlæb ər ə-, ləˈbɒr ə tə ri, -ə tri /

noun

laboratories plural

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.

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adjective

1. serving a function in a laboratory.

2. relating to techniques of work in a laboratory.

   laboratory methods; laboratory research.

laboratory British  

/ -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

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Other Word Forms

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

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.

Example Sentences

Elliott is also a large investor in Sartorius SRT -3.06%decrease; red down pointing triangle , the German supplier of pharmaceutical and laboratory equipment that Bio-Rad has a strategic investment in, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Under standard laboratory conditions, the kimchi strain achieved an adsorption efficiency of 87%, nearly matching a reference strain called Latilactobacillus sakei CBA3608, which recorded 85%.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

Few samples have been tested in a laboratory to date, and the reports are based mainly on suspected cases.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Initial results in the outbreak were negative for Ebola virus, and more sophisticated laboratory tools were required to confirm Bundibugyo was involved.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Late one night in the laboratory, Rania used her phone to communicate with the smaller hazmat that once came to visit the lab.

From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga

Related Words

• lab
• workshop