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infirmary

noun
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in·​fir·​ma·​ry | \ in-ˈfərm-rē How to pronounce infirmary (audio) , -ˈfər-mə- \
plural infirmaries

Definition of infirmary

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 The family returned to the infirmary with Judith, Phoebe's grandmother and refused to leave. — Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, "'It was just like a nightmare': Baby sick on Royal Caribbean ship had to get multiple amputations, lawsuit says," 1 Oct. 2020 After many years as a homemaker, and working as an activist for civil rights and education causes, Mrs. Williams became an independent nursing home consultant in 1974 and a few years later ran an infirmary for the elderly in Rochester. — Washington Post, "Carter Williams, early advocate for restraint-free nursing homes, dies at 97," 24 Sep. 2020 And routine medical visits will be done on the housing units instead of inmates being transported to the infirmary. — Michelle Hunter, NOLA.com, "Jefferson Parish Correctional Center placed on lockdown after coronavirus outbreak," 14 Aug. 2020 He was found at 5 a.m. having cardiac issues and taken to the infirmary at Donaldson. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "16th Street Baptist Church bomber Thomas Blanton dies in prison," 26 June 2020 Initially both men were taken for medical treatment at Staton Correctional Facility, a prison less than a mile away, because Elmore doesn’t have an infirmary, according to the lawsuit. — Ashley Remkus | Aremkus@al.com, al, "After being beaten while handcuffed, two inmates sue Alabama prison guards," 29 Apr. 2020 He was reportedly transferred to the infirmary at New York City's Rikers Island jail complex late last week. — Erin Donaghue, CBS News, "Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sex assault convictions," 11 Mar. 2020 Instead of being sent to the infirmary, the inmate, Nicholas Feliciano, who had a history of suicide attempts, spent hours in the holding cell, two people with knowledge of the matter said. — Jan Ransom, New York Times, "He Waited 6 Hours for Help at Rikers. Then He Tried to Hang Himself.," 4 Dec. 2019 The next day, eight more staggered into the infirmary; the following day, 58; and by the end of the week, there was an average of 150 a day. — Randy Roberts And Johnny Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, "When Babe Ruth and the Great Influenza Gripped Boston," 30 Apr. 2020

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.

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First Known Use of infirmary

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for infirmary

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The first known use of infirmary was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Infirmary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infirmary. Accessed 24 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for infirmary

infirmary

noun
How to pronounce infirmary (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of infirmary

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

See the full definition for infirmary in the English Language Learners Dictionary

infirmary

noun
in·​fir·​ma·​ry | \ in-ˈfər-mə-rē How to pronounce infirmary (audio) \
plural infirmaries

Kids Definition of infirmary

: a place for the care and housing of sick people

infirmary

noun
in·​fir·​ma·​ry | \ in-ˈfərm-(ə-)rē How to pronounce infirmary (audio) \
plural infirmaries

Medical Definition of infirmary

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on infirmary

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for infirmary

Nglish: Translation of infirmary for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about infirmary

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