lab

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈlab How to pronounce lab (audio)
: laboratory

Lab

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˈlab How to pronounce Lab (audio)
: labrador retriever

Lab

3 of 3

abbreviation

Labrador

Examples of lab in a Sentence

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.
Noun
The goal was to test whether a recreational sport like soccer could be used not just in a lab or university setting, but in community leagues and grassroots programs where people already gather. — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 14 July 2026 The institute has revealed the roster for its upcoming labs set to take place for feature film producers from July 13-18, and for documentary producers July 20-25. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026
Noun
On the institute’s two outdoor patios and throughout its labs and classrooms, kids and parents gathered around interactive stations featuring robotics demonstrations, silk-screen printing, 3D modeling and reptiles. — Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025 Snails are often slow to breed in the lab, but golden apple snails are an invasive species and thrive in that environment, per co-author Alice Accorsi, a molecular biologist at the University of California, Davis. — ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lab

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1868, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lab was circa 1868

Phrases Containing lab

Rhymes for lab

See All Rhymes for lab

Browse Nearby Words

Laayoune
lab
Lab
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lab. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on lab

Nglish: Translation of lab for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of yaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All