laboratory

noun

lab·​o·​ra·​to·​ry ˈla-b(ə-)rə-ˌtȯr-ē 

sometimes ˈla-bər-ˌtȯr-

or ˈla-bə-ˌtȯr-

or lə-ˈbȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-

plural laboratories

often attributive

1

a

: a place equipped for experimental study in a science or for testing and analysis

a research laboratory

broadly : a place providing opportunity for experimentation, observation, or practice in a field of study

b

: a place like a laboratory for testing, experimentation, or practice

That area is a laboratory for cultivating the germ of terrorism.

2

: an academic period set aside for laboratory work

a course of study requiring two lectures and one laboratory per week

Examples of laboratory in a Sentence

experiments conducted in a modern laboratory

Recent Examples on the Web

These artists also frequently looked to laboratory science as a model for their own experimental activity. —Michael Cowan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026

By providing these initial nuclear-grade lithium salts engineered for reactor-grade performance, EnergyX is addressing a massive supply gap that currently leaves national laboratories and private fusion developers without the volumes of material necessary for full-scale commercialization. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026

The Natanz site, some 135 miles south of the capital, is a mix of above- and below-ground laboratories that did the majority of Iran’s uranium enrichment. —Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026

The Natanz site, which is about 135 miles south of Iran’s capital of Tehran, is a mix of above- and below-ground laboratories that did the majority of Iran’s uranium enrichment. —Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin laboratorium, from Latin laborare to labor, from labor

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing laboratory

• lab/laboratory rat
• laboratory test
• language laboratory

Rhymes for laboratory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory

Kids Definition

laboratory

noun

lab·​o·​ra·​to·​ry ˈlab-(ə-)rə-ˌtōr-ē  -ˌtȯr- 

plural laboratories

: a place equipped for making scientific experiments and tests

Medical Definition

laboratory

noun

lab·​o·​ra·​to·​ry

ˈlab-(ə-)rə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-, British usually lə-ˈbär-ə-t(ə-)rē

plural laboratories

often attributive

: a place equipped for experimental study in a science or for testing and analysis