hospital

noun

hos·​pi·​tal ˈhä-(ˌ)spi-tᵊl How to pronounce hospital (audio)
often attributive
1
: a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young
2
: an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care
usually used in British English without an article after a preposition
3
: a repair shop for specified small objects
a clock hospital

Examples of hospital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2024 Her first pregnancy was announced in December 2012, when she was admitted to hospital with severe morning sickness. Issy Ronald, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 While Buckingham Palace did release short statements whenever the Queen or her husband, Prince Philip, were admitted to hospital during their later years, details were scarce. Rebecca Cope, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2024 Let the child know if a different family member will pick them up from school, or if a relative will stay with them at night should the adult need to go to the hospital. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2024 Many did not have a stable or clean living situation, and some returned to the hospital with complications. Detroit Free Press, 23 Mar. 2024 Call emergency services or go to the nearest hospital. The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024 King and Helliwell died on scene, while Stahl died after being taken to the hospital. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2024 Driver arrested The driver in the crash, 78-year-old Mary Fong Lau, was transported to the hospital alongside the infant and his mother following the crash. Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hospital.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hospital, ospitale "residence for pilgrims and travelers, charitable institution providing residence for the poor and infirm," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin hospitāle, going back to Latin, in plural hospitālia "guest accommodations" (probably by ellipsis from hospitāle cubiculum "sleeping room for guests"), noun derivative from neuter of hospitālis "of a guest, of hospitality, hospitable," from hospit-, hospes "guest, host" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at host entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hospital was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hospital

Cite this Entry

“Hospital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hospital. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hospital

noun
hos·​pi·​tal ˈhäs-ˌpit-ᵊl How to pronounce hospital (audio)
: an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care
Etymology

Middle English hospital "a stopping place for travelers, a place that cares for people too old, sick, or poor to care for themselves," from early French hospital (same meaning), derived from Latin hospitale "hospice, guest house," from hospitalis "of a guest," from hospit-, hospes "host, stranger, guest," from hostis "stranger, enemy" — related to hospitality, host entry 1, host entry 2, hostile, hotel

Medical Definition

hospital

noun
hos·​pi·​tal ˈhäs-ˌpit-ᵊl How to pronounce hospital (audio)
often attributive
1
: a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young
2
a
: an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care
when used in British English following a preposition, the article is usually omitted
came and saw me in hospitalRobert Graves
b
: a place for the care and treatment of sick and injured animals
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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