ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hospital

n. countable
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈhɑˌspɪtəɫ// UK //hˈɒspɪtəl// hos·pi·tal Archaic General-service

n. a place where doctors and nurses take care of people who are sick or hurt. You go here for surgery or when you need special medical help.

n. an institution providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for sick or injured people.


SIMPLE

The ambulance took the patient to the hospital.

CONTEXTUAL

After the car accident, she stayed in the hospital for three days for observation.

COMPLEX

The city council approved the construction of a new teaching hospital to address the growing demand for specialized pediatric care in the metropolitan area.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English hospital, hospitall, from Old French hospital (Modern French hôpital), from Late Latin hospitālis, hospitāle (“hospice, shelter, guesthouse”), from noun use of Latin hospitālis (“hospitable”), from hospes (“host, guest”). Doublet of hotel and hostel. Displaced native Middle English lechehous, from Old English lǣċehūs (literally “doctor house”).

Usage

In British English, the definite article is often omitted in the phrase 'in hospital' when referring to being a patient; American English typically uses 'in the hospital'.

Pitfall

He is in the hospital for two weeksHe has been in the hospital for two weeksWhen describing a stay that started in the past and continues now, use the present perfect rather than the simple present.

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