hospital Definition

hospital
noun

1. An institution, staffed by doctors and nurses, for the treatment and care of people who are sick or injured.

Thesaurus: clinic, dispensary, infirmary, sanitarium, sickbay.
2. archaic
A charitable institution providing shelter for the old and destitute, and education for the young.
3. historical
A hostel offering lodging and entertainment for travellers, especially one kept by monks or a religious order.

Etymology: 13c: from Latin hospitale a place for receiving guests, from hospes guest.