From Medieval Latin laboratorium ('a place for labour or work'), derived from Latin laborare ('to labour, work hard'), from labor ('toil, effort'). The word entered English in the early 17th century to describe alchemists' and chemists' workrooms. The figurative sense of a setting for social or intellectual experiments developed in the 19th century.
What is a laboratory?
A laboratory is a room, building, or facility specially equipped for scientific research, experiments, testing, or analysis. It contains instruments, chemicals, and controlled conditions suited to the type of work. Informally it is called a lab.
What is the difference between a laboratory and a lab?
There is no difference in meaning — lab is simply the standard informal abbreviation of laboratory. Laboratory is used in formal or official contexts (laboratory report, laboratory technician); lab is used in everyday speech and even in most scientific writing.
What does 'laboratory' mean figuratively?
Figuratively, a laboratory is any place or situation used as a controlled testing ground for new ideas, policies, or methods — where outcomes can be observed and learned from. For example: 'the city served as a laboratory for transport innovation'.
How do you spell laboratory?
Laboratory: L-A-B-O-R-A-T-O-R-Y. A common misspelling is laboritory. The word has five syllables: lab-or-a-tor-y.
What is the origin of the word laboratory?
Laboratory comes from Medieval Latin laboratorium, a place for labour or work, from Latin laborare (to toil) and labor (work). It entered English in the early 17th century, first describing alchemists' workshops, and later any scientific workroom.