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

Armani studied at the University of Milan and later served in the military, working in an infirmary. —Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025

But will the octogenarian, who resides in the prison infirmary, never having fully recovered from COVID-19 and needing oxygen to breathe, live long enough to get that chance? Perhaps. —Gail Hollenbeck, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025

There, Avram’s number was recorded on an infirmary card, just days before American troops liberated the camp. —Marc Snegg, Time, 7 Aug. 2025

What's more, some travel insurance companies don’t cover visits to ship infirmaries. —Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2025

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