noun

lab

A laboratory: a place equipped for scientific work or testing.

Students in the lab test water samples for harmful bacteria.

Etymology

Lab shortens laboratory. It preserves the workplace sense, referring to the space and equipment used for scientific investigation, testing, or related work.

More examples

  • The clinic sends blood samples to a lab for testing.
  • Everyone must wear safety goggles in the chemistry lab.
  • Two independent labs confirmed the results.

Forms

lab · labs

Similar words

laboratory
The full form, often used in formal scientific writing.