laboratory
noun
lab·o·ra·to·ry
ˈla-b(ə-)rə-ˌtȯr-ē 
sometimes ˈla-bər-ˌtȯr-,
or ˈla-bə-ˌtȯr-,
or lə-ˈbȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-
plural laboratories
often attributive
1
a
: a place equipped for experimental study in a science or for testing and analysis
a research laboratory
broadly
: a place providing opportunity for experimentation, observation, or practice in a field of study
b
: a place like a laboratory for testing, experimentation, or practice
That area is a laboratory for cultivating the germ of terrorism.
2
: an academic period set aside for laboratory work
a course of study requiring two lectures and one laboratory per week
Examples of laboratory in a Sentence
experiments conducted in a modern laboratory
Recent Examples on the Web
During the spacewalk, Williams and Wilmore removed a radio frequency group antenna assembly from the station’s truss before turning their attention to collecting samples of surface material from both the Destiny laboratory module and the Quest airlock, where crew members exit the station.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
The National Nuclear Security Administration, the civilian agency maintaining America's nuclear stockpile, allowed journalists, including NPR, to tour a secretive laboratory.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025
In the meantime, experts emphasize the importance of sourcing exosomes from reputable laboratories that adhere to rigorous quality standards.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 30 Jan. 2025
Much of Colorado’s $40 billion state budget as well as its hospitals, universities, early childhood programs, research laboratories, and other agencies and groups rely on federal funding for day-to-day operations.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for laboratory 
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Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
The National Nuclear Security Administration, the civilian agency maintaining America's nuclear stockpile, allowed journalists, including NPR, to tour a secretive laboratory.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025
In the meantime, experts emphasize the importance of sourcing exosomes from reputable laboratories that adhere to rigorous quality standards.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 30 Jan. 2025
Much of Colorado’s $40 billion state budget as well as its hospitals, universities, early childhood programs, research laboratories, and other agencies and groups rely on federal funding for day-to-day operations.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for laboratory
Dictionary Entries Near laboratory
Cite this Entry
“Laboratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laboratory. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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laboratory
noun
lab·o·ra·to·ry
ˈlab-(ə-)rə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
-ˌtȯr-
plural laboratories
: a place equipped for making scientific experiments and tests
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