hospital

hos-pi-tal · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    An institution providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for sick or injured people.

  2. 2.

    A place where animals receive medical treatment.

Forms

plural: hospitals

Related words

See also: clinic, doctor, nurse, patient
Synonyms: clinic, infirmary, medical center

Etymology

From Old French "hospital," from Medieval Latin "hospitale" (hostel, inn, guest house), from Latin "hospitalis" (of a guest), from "hospes" (host, guest). The meaning shifted from a place offering hospitality to travelers to specifically a place for the care of the sick by the 16th century. Related to "hospice," "host," and "hotel."