hospital

noun

hos·​pi·​tal ˈhä-(ˌ)spi-tᵊl 

often attributive

1

: a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young

2

: an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care

—usually used in British English without an article after a preposition

3

: a repair shop for specified small objects

a clock hospital

Examples of hospital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

McConnell, who at 84 is only the third-oldest member of the Senate, was admitted to the hospital on June 14 with barely any explanation. — ABC News, 14 July 2026

Officers found two male victims at the scene and took them to an area hospital. — Laura Fay, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Plans with lower monthly costs often have narrower networks of doctors and hospitals, and less generous drug coverage. — Renuka Rayasam, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026

The woman was taken to a local hospital before getting transferred to University of Chicago Hospital, Munster Police Chief Steve Scheckel told the Post-Tribune, but her condition is currently unknown. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hospital, ospitale "residence for pilgrims and travelers, charitable institution providing residence for the poor and infirm," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin hospitāle, going back to Latin, in plural hospitālia "guest accommodations" (probably by ellipsis from hospitāle cubiculum "sleeping room for guests"), noun derivative from neuter of hospitālis "of a guest, of hospitality, hospitable," from hospit-, hospes "guest, host" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at host entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hospital

• cottage hospital
• hospital corner
• hospital gown
• inter-hospital
• multi-hospital
• teaching hospital

Rhymes for hospital

• acquittal
• belittle
• committal
• popliteal
• submittal
• transmittal
• brittle
• kittel
• kittle
• little
• spital
• spittle

Kids Definition

hospital

noun

hos·​pi·​tal ˈhäs-ˌpit-ᵊl 

: an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care

Etymology

Middle English hospital "a stopping place for travelers, a place that cares for people too old, sick, or poor to care for themselves," from early French hospital (same meaning), derived from Latin hospitale "hospice, guest house," from hospitalis "of a guest," from hospit-, hospes "host, stranger, guest," from hostis "stranger, enemy" — related to hospitality, host entry 1, host entry 2, hostile, hotel

Medical Definition

hospital

noun

hos·​pi·​tal ˈhäs-ˌpit-ᵊl 

often attributive

1

: a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young

2

a

: an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care

—when used in British English following a preposition, the article is usually omitted

came and saw me in hospital

—Robert Graves

b

: a place for the care and treatment of sick and injured animals