Definition of: hospital

(hos′pi·təl) noun
1. An institution for the reception, care, and medical treatment of the sick or wounded; also, the building used for that purpose.
2. Obs. An inn or hospice.
3. Formerly, a place of hospitality for those in need of shelter and maintenance: foundling hospital, Greenwich Hospital (a home for retired seamen in London). [<OF <L hospitalis of a guest <hospes guest. Doublet of HOTEL, HOSTEL.]