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noun B1 Intermediate Common

lab

lab

Lab (noun) means a laboratory — a room or building equipped for scientific experiments, testing, or research. Example: “The samples were sent to the lab for analysis.”

noun
1
A laboratory — a room or building equipped for scientific experiments, testing, or research.
"The samples were sent to the lab for analysis."
"She spends most of her week in the lab running trials."
2
Informal short form of Labrador retriever, a popular breed of dog.
"Their lab bounded across the park to fetch the ball."
"Labs are known for being friendly and easy to train."

How to use lab

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a place for scientific work, or, casually, a Labrador dog.

When to use it

Very informal in both senses — 'laboratory' and 'Labrador retriever' are the full forms in formal writing.

Word forms

labbed past tense, labs plural, labs plural, labs singular

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Test yourself on “lab” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

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The samples were sent to the _____ for analysis.

Etymology

Shortened from "laboratory."

laboratory research facility research center workshop testing facility workroom Llap

Related words

Rhymes for lab

See all rhymes for lab →

Frequently asked questions

What does “lab” mean?

The word “lab” means a laboratory — a room or building equipped for scientific experiments, testing, or research. In plain terms, either a place for scientific work, or, casually, a Labrador dog.

How do you pronounce “lab”?

“Lab” is pronounced lab (/læːb/ in IPA).

How do you use “lab” in a sentence?

Here is “lab” used in a sentence: “The samples were sent to the lab for analysis.”

What is another word for “lab”?

Words with a similar meaning to “lab” include Llap.

What part of speech is “lab”?

“Lab” is a noun.

Is “lab” a common word?

“Lab” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “lab” have?

“Lab” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a laboratory — a room or building equipped for scientific experiments, testing, or research.

What is the difference between a lab and a laboratory?

There is no difference in meaning — 'lab' is simply the short, informal version of 'laboratory.' Both refer to a room or building fitted out for scientific experiments, testing, or research. 'Lab' is used in everyday speech and casual writing, while 'laboratory' sounds more formal or technical.

What are the different types of labs?

Labs are usually named for their field or function. Common ones include chemistry, biology, and physics labs in schools; medical or clinical labs that test blood and samples; research labs where new discoveries are made; and computer labs full of workstations. Each is equipped for its particular kind of work.

Does 'lab' have any other meanings?

Yes. Besides being short for 'laboratory,' 'Lab' is also a common nickname for the Labrador retriever, a popular breed of dog. Context makes the meaning clear: a scientist works in a lab, while a family might own a chocolate Lab. This dictionary entry covers the laboratory sense.

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