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 She was transported to a hospital in serious condition, according to the White River Township Fire Department, which responded to the house fire. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Mar. 2024 Between 1841 and 1847, puerperal fever was responsible for up to 16 percent of maternal deaths at the hospital in Vienna, where Semmelweis worked. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 Blood clots in his legs had reached his lungs, and he was admitted to the hospital that November. The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 An aircraft crew chief with the New York National Guard, whose name has not been released, was injured and remained in the hospital. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024 Catherine was not seen entering or leaving the hospital for her surgery, nor were her children photographed visiting her. Mark Landler, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 The actress posted photos from a hospital bed, leading fans to speculate about her health Kate Beckinsale has fans alarmed after sharing photos of herself in the hospital. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 The patient, who was stable after suffering a laceration on one of his legs, was still in the hospital in unknown condition Monday morning, WSVN reports. Pilar Arias, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2024 Spruce, wry, soigné, specific Mr. V., pleasantly redolent of eau de cologne, had been replaced by an exhausted, old, generic guy in a shapeless hospital garment who smelled off. Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 11 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 19 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!