laboratory
luh-BO-ruht-ree
Laboratory (noun) means a room or building equipped for scientific research, testing, or experiments. Example: “She spends most of her week in the laboratory running DNA tests.”
noun
1
A room or building equipped for scientific research, testing, or experiments.
"She spends most of her week in the laboratory running DNA tests."
"The school built a new laboratory for its chemistry classes."
"Students must wear safety glasses whenever they work in the laboratory."
2
A facility where chemicals, medicines, or other substances are manufactured or prepared.
"The drug was developed in a pharmaceutical laboratory over several years."
"The vaccine is made in a clean laboratory just outside the town."
"Samples of the cream are produced in a small laboratory before the full batch is made."
How to use laboratory
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA place set up for scientific work, testing, or making chemical products.
Common pairings
research laboratory
laboratory results
laboratory equipment
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Word forms
- Plural
- laboratories
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She spends most of her week in the _____ running DNA tests.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin laboratorium, a place for laboring or working, built on Latin labor, "work."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for laboratory
See all rhymes for laboratory →Frequently asked questions
What does “laboratory” mean?
The word “laboratory” means a room or building equipped for scientific research, testing, or experiments. In plain terms, a place set up for scientific work, testing, or making chemical products.
How do you pronounce “laboratory”?
“Laboratory” is pronounced luh-BO-ruht-ree (/ˈlæb(ə)ɹəˌtɔɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “laboratory” in a sentence?
Here is “laboratory” used in a sentence: “She spends most of her week in the laboratory running DNA tests.”
What is another word for “laboratory”?
Words with a similar meaning to “laboratory” include lab and laboratorium.
What part of speech is “laboratory”?
“Laboratory” is a noun.
Where does the word “laboratory” come from?
The word “laboratory” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin laboratorium, a place for laboring or working, built on Latin labor, "work.".
Is “laboratory” a common word?
“Laboratory” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “laboratory” have?
“Laboratory” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a room or building equipped for scientific research, testing, or experiments.
What is the difference between a 'laboratory' and a 'lab'?
There is no difference in meaning; 'lab' is simply the common short, informal form of 'laboratory'. Use 'laboratory' in formal or written contexts and 'lab' in everyday speech.
What is the difference between a 'laboratory' and a 'workshop'?
A laboratory is equipped for scientific research, testing, or preparing substances like chemicals and medicines. A workshop is set up for making or repairing physical objects, often with tools and machinery rather than experiments.
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