infirmary

noun

in·​fir·​ma·​ry in-ˈfər-mə-rē How to pronounce infirmary (audio)
-ˈfərm-rē
plural infirmaries
Synonyms of infirmarynext
1
: a place (as in a school or prison) where sick or injured individuals receive care and treatment
2
: a large medical facility : hospital
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Examples of infirmary in a Sentence

One of the students became ill and was sent to the infirmary.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ten days later, she was called out of her jail cell and told to go to the infirmary. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026 The oldest mentions of the Grove, which got that name in 1935, refer to its dark expanse, haunted by the spirits of soldiers who died in the nearby school chapel that was turned into an infirmary during the Civil War. — Wright Thompson, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026 When not picking zucchini, asparagus or other vegetables, Sister Clare Joseph runs the monastery infirmary. — Kelly Wilkinson, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2026 Polly had spent years moving between workhouses and infirmaries, sometimes returning to her father’s house. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infirmary

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of infirmary was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

infirmaress
infirmary
infirmation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infirmary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infirmary. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

infirmary

noun
in·​fir·​ma·​ry in-ˈfərm-(ə-)rē How to pronounce infirmary (audio)
plural infirmaries
: a place (as in a school or camp) for the care of sick or injured people
also : hospital

Medical Definition

infirmary

noun
in·​fir·​ma·​ry in-ˈfərm-(ə-)rē How to pronounce infirmary (audio)
plural infirmaries
1
: a place (as in a school or prison) where sick or injured individuals receive care and treatment
2
: a large medical facility : hospital
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

More from Merriam-Webster on infirmary

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for infirmary

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about infirmary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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