# hospital

/ˈhɑˌspɪtəɫ/ (US) · /hˈɒspɪtəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hospital
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. historical care home

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old word for a place that looks after poor or old people for a long time.

For teachers: a charitable institution for the housing and maintenance of the needy, infirm, or aged. This sense is largely historical or preserved in specific names of almshouses.

- The old building was originally a hospital for retired sailors.
- The Royal Hospital Chelsea was founded in the seventeenth century as a retreat for veterans rather than a modern medical facility.

Usage: Commonly found in the names of historical British institutions.

## Examples

- The ambulance took the patient to the hospital.
- After the car accident, she stayed in the hospital for three days for observation.
- The city council approved the construction of a new teaching hospital to address the growing demand for specialized pediatric care in the metropolitan area.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.