infirmary

noun

in·​fir·​ma·​ry in-ˈfər-mə-rē How to pronounce infirmary (audio)
-ˈfərm-rē
plural infirmaries
1
: a place (as in a school or prison) where sick or injured individuals receive care and treatment
2
: a large medical facility : hospital
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Examples of infirmary in a Sentence

One of the students became ill and was sent to the infirmary.
Recent Examples on the Web The house, named after St. John Berchmans, a Jesuit seminarian who died in 1621, served as a dormitory building back when Bellarmine was a boarding school and also as an infirmary. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024 The former built an onsite infirmary and pharmacy, while the latter designated one-third of its housing for residents with advanced dementia in need of intensive care and supervision. Kristina Carvalho, STAT, 24 Oct. 2023 And finally, there’s an aviary for large birds that includes a kitchen and infirmary. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2023 Sam Kevin Cox, 59, was found unresponsive at 12:05 p.m. in the prison infirmary, where he was being treated for significant natural diseases, said Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 7 Sep. 2023 As part of the deal, the developer will oversee the work on the chapel and the infirmary. James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Apr. 2023 Three and a half hours after Rogers first asked to be taken to the infirmary, prison officials finally radioed for medical assistance. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 23 Aug. 2023 Projects for the adult jail include the infirmary expansion, jail renovation and moving the kitchen. Susan McFarland, Dallas News, 8 Aug. 2023 White was taken to the prison infirmary where he was pronounced dead at 10:36 p.m. The cause of his death is pending an autopsy. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 8 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infirmary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of infirmary was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near infirmary

Cite this Entry

“Infirmary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infirmary. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

infirmary

noun
in·​fir·​ma·​ry in-ˈfərm-(ə-)rē How to pronounce infirmary (audio)
plural infirmaries
: a place (as in a school or camp) for the care of sick or injured people
also : hospital

Medical Definition

infirmary

noun
in·​fir·​ma·​ry in-ˈfərm-(ə-)rē How to pronounce infirmary (audio)
plural infirmaries
1
: a place (as in a school or prison) where sick or injured individuals receive care and treatment
2
: a large medical facility : hospital
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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