Main Entry:

lab·o·ra·to·ry

Pronunciation:

\ˈla-b(ə-)rə-ˌtȯr-ē sometimes ˈla-bə(r)-ˌ or lə-ˈbȯr-ə-ˌ, British usually lə-ˈbär-ə-t(ə-)rē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural lab·o·ra·to·ries

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

Medieval Latin laboratorium, from Latin laborare to labor, from labor

Date:

1605

1 a: a place equipped for experimental study in a science or for testing and analysis ; broadly : a place providing opportunity for experimentation, observation, or practice in a field of study b: a place like a laboratory for testing, experimentation, or practice <the laboratory of the mind>2: an academic period set aside for laboratory work