l'hospital
B1neutral
Definition
Meaning
An institution providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for sick or injured people.
A building or institution where medical services are provided, often including emergency care, inpatient and outpatient treatment, surgery, and specialized departments; figuratively, a place for recovery or repair.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term can be modified to specify types (e.g., 'children's hospital', 'mental hospital'). Historically, it also referred to charitable institutions for the needy, but this sense is now archaic outside certain proper names (e.g., 'Royal Hospital Chelsea').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'hospital' often appears without an article in contexts like 'in hospital' or 'to hospital' when referring to a patient's status. In the US, the definite or indefinite article is typically used: 'in the hospital', 'to the hospital'.
Connotations
Both varieties share the primary medical meaning. In British English, the article-less construction can imply being a patient rather than just a location.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties, but the grammatical context differs as noted.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be in [the] hospitalwork at a hospitalbe taken to [the] hospitalrun a hospitalVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “behave as if you own the place/behave as if you own the hospital”
- “a hospital pass”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in discussions of healthcare management, funding, and policy.
Academic
Common in medical, nursing, and public health literature.
Everyday
Frequently used when discussing health, accidents, visiting someone, or work.
Technical
Specific in medical contexts to denote accredited institutions with inpatient facilities.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- She received excellent hospital care.
- The hospital environment was very sterile.
American English
- He has a hospital appointment tomorrow.
- The hospital policy changed recently.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother works in a hospital.
- She went to hospital because she felt very ill.
- He was taken to hospital by ambulance after the accident.
- The new hospital will open next year.
- Despite being in hospital, she continued to manage her team remotely.
- The hospital has introduced a new policy regarding visitor hours.
- The study compared patient outcomes across three different hospital trusts.
- Funding cuts have placed the entire hospital system under immense strain.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HOSPITALity for the sick - a place that hosts patients.
Conceptual Metaphor
A hospital is a repair shop for the human body.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'гостиница' (hotel). The Russian 'больница' is the direct equivalent.
- In British English contexts, remember the article-less construction 'in hospital' for being a patient.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'in the hospital' in British English when referring to being a patient (non-locative sense).
- Misspelling as 'hospitol' or 'hospitle'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence is correct in standard British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A hospital typically has facilities for overnight stays (inpatients) and performs major surgery, while a clinic is usually for outpatient care and minor procedures.
In British English, omitting the article ('in hospital') describes the state of being a patient. Using 'the' ('in the hospital') refers more to the physical location, regardless of one's role (e.g., a visitor or worker).
No, 'hospital' is not used as a standard verb in modern English. The verb form is 'hospitalize' (US) or 'hospitalise' (UK).
It's a metaphorical idiom from rugby (and used in other sports like football), referring to a pass that leaves the receiver vulnerable to a heavy or injurious tackle, potentially sending them to hospital.