infirmary

noun in·fir·ma·ry \ in-ˈfərm-rē , -ˈfər-mə- \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of infirmary

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

See infirmary defined for English-language learners

See infirmary defined for kids

Examples of infirmary in a Sentence

One of the students became ill and was sent to the infirmary.

Recent Examples of infirmary from the Web

Meanwhile, in the aftermath, Maggie left people in the infirmary with almost no one watching over them.

— steve johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Showtime at the Hilltop: A big 'Walking Dead' battle leaves questions for all," 26 Mar. 2018
Centers for Disease Control and PreventionMonty Davis Adults on the Orlando trip set up a triage infirmary in the hotel lobby to take care of those who were ill.

— mará rose williams, kansascity, "Norovirus suspected in illness that struck about 50 Lawrence High School band members | The Kansas City Star," 22 Mar. 2018
Agents evicted workers and attacked their camps; National Guardsmen, meanwhile, set fire to the camp, which included a women’s infirmary.

— sarah jones, The New Republic, "The Pinkertons Still Never Sleep," 23 Mar. 2018
A century ago this week, an army cook named Albert Gitchell at Fort Riley, Kansas, paid a visit to the camp infirmary, complaining of a severe cold.

— amanda foreman, WSJ, "In Epidemics, Leaders Play a Crucial Role," 8 Mar. 2018
Officers said Cruz also requested a Bible to read in his single-person cell in the infirmary.

— CBS News, "Records shed light on Florida shooting suspect's behavior in jail," 7 Mar. 2018
Officers said Cruz also requested a Bible to read in his single-person cell in the infirmary.

— curt anderson, Time, "Nikolas Cruz Indicted on 17 Counts of Murder for Florida School Shooting," 7 Mar. 2018
On Sundays, a nurse took the children across the street to visit their mother, Rose, at the infirmary.

— karen herzog, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Robert Harris Jr. grew up in county children's home, gave back as teacher, coach, community leader, family man," 14 Jan. 2018
But only a few people outside of the prisons know what’s going on inside the infirmaries.

— andy marso, kansascity, "Corizon Health has $2 billion in contracts with Kansas, Missouri. But there's little accountability | The Kansas City Star," 21 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'infirmary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of infirmary

15th century

INFIRMARY Defined for English Language Learners

infirmary

noun

Definition of infirmary for English Language Learners

: a place where sick people stay and are cared for in a school, prison, summer camp, etc.

INFIRMARY Defined for Kids

infirmary

noun in·fir·ma·ry \ in-ˈfər-mə-rē \

Definition of infirmary for Students

plural infirmaries

: a place for the care and housing of sick people

Medical Dictionary

infirmary

noun in·fir·ma·ry \ in-ˈfərm-(ə-)rē \

medical Definition of infirmary

plural infirmaries

: a place especially in a school or college for the care and treatment of the sick

Learn More about infirmary

Spanish Central: Translation of infirmary Nglish: Translation of infirmary for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about infirmary

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infirmary

Definition of infirmary

Examples of infirmary in a Sentence

Recent Examples of infirmary from the Web

First Known Use of infirmary

INFIRMARY Defined for English Language Learners

infirmary

Definition of infirmary for English Language Learners

INFIRMARY Defined for Kids

infirmary

Definition of infirmary for Students

Medical Dictionary

infirmary

medical Definition of infirmary

Learn More about infirmary

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infirmary

Definition of infirmary

Examples of infirmary in a Sentence

Recent Examples of infirmary from the Web

First Known Use of infirmary

INFIRMARY Defined for English Language Learners

infirmary

Definition of infirmary for English Language Learners

INFIRMARY Defined for Kids

infirmary

Definition of infirmary for Students

Medical Dictionary

infirmary

medical Definition of infirmary

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