lab

lab · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (informal) A laboratory; a room or building equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching.

  2. 2.

    A period of time allocated for practical work in a laboratory setting.

Forms

plural: labs

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    lab coat — A white coat worn by scientists and medical professionals.
  • •
    lab rat — A rat used in laboratory experiments; informally, a person who spends excessive time in a lab.
  • •
    lab work — Practical experiments or tests conducted in a laboratory.

Related words

See also: experiment, laboratory, research, science
Synonyms: laboratory, research facility, workshop

Etymology

Shortened form of laboratory, which comes from Medieval Latin laboratorium ("place for labor or work"). The informal abbreviation became common in the 20th century.