hospital

noun

hos·​pi·​tal ˈhä-(ˌ)spi-tᵊl How to pronounce hospital (audio)
Synonyms of hospitalnext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Community members gathered for the town hall Monday night to hear from former employees, community leaders and the president and CEO of Insight, who spoke about his hopes for the now-shuttered West Suburban and Weiss Memorial hospitals. — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026 In a statement to PEOPLE, a Fort Collins Police spokesperson confirmed that six individuals were transported by ambulance to area hospitals, including the driver, who was described only as an adult male. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 One of the victims died from their wounds at the hospital, the mayor said, while the other is in stable condition. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026 This is one family’s experience of their last year in Connecticut after major hospitals abruptly ended gender-affirming medical care for trans youth. — Dr. Sj Job, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hospital

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

Phrases Containing hospital

Rhymes for hospital

See All Rhymes for hospital

Browse Nearby Words

hospitably
hospital
hospital apprentice
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hospital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hospital. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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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 hospital—Robert Graves
b
: a place for the care and treatment of sick and injured animals

More from Merriam-Webster on hospital

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hospital

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hospital

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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