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

When not picking zucchini, asparagus or other vegetables, Sister Clare Joseph runs the monastery infirmary. — Kelly Wilkinson, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2026

Polly had spent years moving between workhouses and infirmaries, sometimes returning to her father’s house. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, people at Hamilton mostly wanted to talk about the $55 million infirmary renovation. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

John Anthony Cole, 49, is the prisoner in the video, and the incident occurred in the Adult Detention Center infirmary, Miller said. — Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 15 June 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