laboratory
lab-o-ra-to-ry · noun
Definitions
noun
- 1.
A room or building equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching, or for the manufacture of drugs or chemicals.
- 2.
A place providing opportunity for experimentation, observation, or practice in a field of study.
Forms
plural: laboratories
Phrases & expressions
- •laboratory equipment — Tools and apparatus used for scientific experiments.
- •language laboratory — A room equipped with audio equipment for learning languages.
- •laboratory animal — An animal used for scientific testing.
- •laboratory technician — A person who works in a laboratory performing tests and experiments.
Related words
Etymology
From Medieval Latin laboratorium ("place for labor, workshop"), from Latin laborare ("to work, toil"), from labor ("work, toil"). The word entered English in the early 17th century.