infirmary

noun

in·​fir·​ma·​ry in-ˈfər-mə-rē 

-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

His sophomore feature is a sensual drama following young Luz and Pedro, who meet by chance at the olive oil mill but are unaware of the existence of Omar, who lies in the infirmary of the nearby monastery. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025

Wallace confirmed Adair had initially been in the infirmary for a pre-existing wound on his leg. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025

Adair had just received medical treatment in the jail’s infirmary for a pre-existing leg wound and was in the process of being transported back to his cell when the altercation broke out. —Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2025

Armani studied at the University of Milan and later served in the military, working in an infirmary. —Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

infirmary

noun

in·​fir·​ma·​ry in-ˈfərm-(ə-)rē 

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 

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