DictionarywardHospital section
noun

ward

A hospital room or section for a particular group of patients.

The nurse checks each patient in the hospital's maternity ward.

Etymology

The older word concerns protective care. A hospital ward is a defined area where a group of patients receives that care.

More examples

  • Visitors must wash their hands before entering the children's ward.
  • After surgery, he moves to a ward for recovering patients.
  • The hospital is adding two new wards.

Forms

ward · wards

Similar words

unit
Often emphasizes specialized treatment, such as intensive care.
section
A broader term for any distinct part of a hospital.