Laboratory

Laboratory

Noun · /ləˈbɒr.ə.tər.i/ (British) or /ˈlæb.rə.tɔːr.i/ (American)

Definition

A room or building equipped for scientific research, experimentation, or testing; any place where work of a practical or experimental nature is carried out; informally shortened to lab.

Origin

From Medieval Latin laboratorium (a place of work), from Latin laborare (to work, to labour), from labor (work, toil). The word originally referred to any workshop; the specifically scientific sense developed from the 16th century as experimental science emerged as a discipline. Used in English from the early 17th century.