hospitals

hos-pi-tals · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Plural of hospital; institutions providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for sick or injured people.

  2. 2.

    Buildings or facilities where medical care is provided.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    teaching hospitals — Hospitals affiliated with medical schools for training doctors
  • •
    general hospitals — Hospitals treating a wide range of conditions
  • •
    children's hospitals — Hospitals specializing in pediatric care

Related words

See also: clinic, doctor, hospital, patient
Synonyms: clinics, infirmaries, medical centers

Etymology

Plural of hospital, from Old French, from Medieval Latin hospitale ("guest house, inn"), from Latin hospitalis ("of a guest"). Originally referred to places of shelter for travelers before becoming associated with medical care.