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

For instance, Bell once figured out the route a patient had taken walking to the infirmary by identifying the type of clay on the patient’s boots—an incident Doyle used in The Sign of the Four. — ArsTechnica, 26 Oct. 2026

He was brought to the prison infirmary, where numerous guards surrounded, punched, kicked, choked, dropped and manhandled him. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026

After one encounter with jail staff, Phillip was taken to the infirmary with a bloody white bag over his head and one eye swollen shut. — Jim Defede, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Ten days later, she was called out of her jail cell and told to go to the infirmary. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

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