infirmary

play

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

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

Tarver, who is serving a sentence of life without parole for the 1994 murder of a Columbus convenience store clerk, was treated for months in the Oglethorpe prison’s infirmary.

— danny robbins, ajc, "How an inmate’s handwritten lawsuit gained an attorney’s interest," 21 Aug. 2017
Allen's vacancy is helpful because the facility has many things a reception center would need, such as a full infirmary, LeBlanc said.

— julia o'donoghue, NOLA.com, "Former private prison will be intake center for Orleans inmates, others," 16 Aug. 2017
Graves said the injured inmate was in stable condition after suffering injuries that could not be treated by the prison infirmary.

— andrew demillo, chicagotribune.com, "Arkansas inmates snatch keys, take control of part of prison for 3 hours," 7 Aug. 2017
The prison infirmary is air conditioned along with administrative offices, visitation areas, the education department, the barbershop and a small portion of the prison craft shop.

— michael graczyk, The Seattle Times, "Judge orders Texas to lower temperature in sweltering prison," 19 July 2017
Another of Walker's favorite sets is also a practical one: the infirmary.

— kaylee hammonds, Southern Living, "The Southern Living Houses of "The Walking Dead"," 11 July 2017
A few blocks away, the Los Alamos History Museum, located in what was once the school’s infirmary, served during the war as guest quarters, especially for Groves, who was based in Washington, D.C.

— kit bernardi, USA TODAY, "Atomic City: Secret No Longer," 25 June 2017
Large swaths of his skin had peeled from his body by the time he was carried to the infirmary.

— julie k. brown, miamiherald, "Fact-checking Fernández Rundle’s stated reasons for closing the Darren Rainey case," 12 June 2017
Civil War Infirmary Building - Montpelier, Vermont Many a Civil War soldier made his way to this historic building that once served as an infirmary.

— lyn mettler, Fox News, "Sleep where history was made: 5 vacation rentals for the ultimate patriot," 7 June 2017

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

play

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

play

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

play

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

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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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Definition of infirmary for English Language Learners

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