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DictionaryhospitalMedical care institution
noun

hospital

HAH-spih-tl/ˈhɑːspɪtl/

An institution that provides medical treatment and patient care.

The clinician examines the patient's bandaged arm beside a bed in the hospital ward.

A compact hospital ward view: a clinician checks an injured patient's bandaged arm beside an adjustable hospital bed, with a bedside monitor, IV stand and a second empty hospital bed establishing institutional medical care.
Etymology
hospitLatinguest; host
+alLatinrelating to

Something “relating to a guest or host” came to name a guest-house or shelter. A hospital then specialized from sheltering the needy to caring for sick or injured people.

In context

Town Meeting TV19:09
when Mary Fletcher originally founded the Mary Fletcher Hospital a hundred years ago she was very clear that she believed that the hospital should be providing to his greater degree as possible free care to the poor
Bernie Speaks 40: Mayor Sanders' Year-in-Review Tour of the City, with Son Levi 12/27/1987

More examples

  • She spent three days in the hospital.
  • The city plans to expand its children's hospital.
  • Several hospitals shared supplies during the emergency.

Forms

hospital · hospitals

Similar words

clinic
Often treats outpatients and offers a narrower range of services.
infirmary
An infirmary typically serves an institution and may provide more limited care.