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

The research team’s immediate future efforts will focus on collaboration with both accelerator laboratories and medical partners. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Nov. 2025

The organization also has focused on strengthening laboratory testing to ensure organic integrity with its adapted Organic Cotton Training Curriculum while also amplifying farmer voices through ongoing workshops and community engagement. —Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 26 Nov. 2025

The new 96,875-square-foot space includes 10,764 square feet dedicated to laboratories, a colonnade and open social areas designed to foster collaboration, as well as a 2,153-square-foot cafeteria overlooking the Milan skyline. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Nov. 2025

This requirement applies to a veterinarian, a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, or a person having care, custody, or control of an animal. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Nov. 2025

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