laboratory
B2Formal, Technical, Academic
Definition
Meaning
A room or building equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching, or for the manufacture of drugs or chemicals.
Any place or situation characterized by intensive experimentation, analysis, or development.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In its core sense, implies controlled conditions and specialized equipment. Its extended meaning often applies to social, political, or artistic contexts where new ideas are tested.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primary difference is pronunciation and syllabic stress. In BrE, the primary stress is on the second syllable and 'o' is often elided ('lab-OR-uh-tree'). In AmE, stress is often on the first syllable ('LAB-ruh-tory'). The word 'lab' is the common, universal short form.
Connotations
Identical connotations of science, precision, and experimentation in both dialects.
Frequency
The full word is more common in formal writing in both dialects. The short form 'lab' dominates informal and educational spoken contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Noun] in a/the laboratory[Verb] in/at the laboratory[Adjective] laboratoryVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A laboratory of democracy (political experimentation)”
- “A laboratory for social change”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to R&D departments, quality control, and product testing facilities.
Academic
Central to science education and research publications; a standard term.
Everyday
Used when discussing school science classes, medical tests ('lab work'), or detective shows ('crime lab').
Technical
Precise term for a controlled environment with specific equipment (e.g., biosafety level 4 laboratory).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The compound was laboratory-tested for purity.
- They are laboratorying the new vaccine samples. (Rare, non-standard)
American English
- The samples need to be laboratory-analyzed.
- The process was laboratory-proven. (As part of compound adjective)
adverb
British English
- The procedure was performed laboratory-style. (Informal)
- The samples were analyzed laboratory-wise. (Highly unusual)
American English
- The test was conducted laboratory-style.
- He approached the problem laboratory-careful. (Non-standard)
adjective
British English
- We need new laboratory coats.
- The laboratory equipment arrived.
American English
- She works as a laboratory technician.
- Follow all laboratory safety protocols.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We have a science lesson in the laboratory today.
- The doctor sent my blood to the laboratory.
- The new medicine was developed in a research laboratory.
- Students must wear goggles in the chemistry laboratory.
- The forensic laboratory analyzed the evidence from the crime scene.
- The university invested millions in its state-of-the-art physics laboratory.
- The country's economic reforms served as a laboratory for neoliberal policies.
- Stringent laboratory conditions are required to replicate the experiment's results.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LABORatory: Think of a place where a lot of LABOR and hard work goes into experiments.
Conceptual Metaphor
LABORATORY AS A PLACE FOR CONTROLLED CREATION (e.g., 'The kitchen was her laboratory for new recipes').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'лаборатория' – they are direct cognates and mean the same thing, so no semantic trap exists.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'labratory' or 'laborotory'.
- Using plural 'laboratories' incorrectly as an uncountable noun.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase uses 'laboratory' in an extended, metaphorical sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Lab' is the standard, informal short form of 'laboratory'. They are synonymous, but 'laboratory' is preferred in formal writing and official names.
In British English, it is commonly pronounced /ləˈbɒr.ə.tər.i/ with the stress on the second syllable ('lab-OR-uh-tree'), and the 'o' in the second syllable is often not fully pronounced.
Yes, in an extended metaphorical sense. It can describe any environment where ideas, policies, or art forms are tested and developed (e.g., 'The theatre was a laboratory for new playwrights').
Yes, it is a countable noun. You can have one laboratory or several laboratories.
Collections
Part of a collection
Science and Technology
B1 · 47 words · Basic scientific concepts and modern technology.
Science and Research
B2 · 43 words · Academic and scientific research methodology.
Scientific Terminology
C1 · 44 words · Precise vocabulary used in scientific disciplines.