lab

lab — noun

1. a specially equipped space used for conducting scientific experiments, carrying

1.nounA2
Definition

a specially equipped space used for conducting scientific experiments, carrying out research, or producing chemicals and medicines. This is the informal, everyday word for 'laboratory'.

Example

Talia spent the whole afternoon in the chemistry lab preparing samples for an experiment.

collocation: chemistry lab / science lab / research lab

The hospital opened a new lab that can test blood samples within two hours.

Common collocations
  • chemistry lab
  • science lab
  • research lab
  • teaching lab
  • lab bench
  • lab coat
  • lab equipment
  • lab work
Synonyms
  • laboratory

    formal equivalent; used in official names and academic writing

  • research centre

    broader term; can refer to an entire building or institution, not just a single room

Grammar Patterns

a lab

the lab

labs

Usage Note

Lab is the normal everyday word for 'laboratory' in both British and American English. In formal or academic writing, 'laboratory' is usually preferred. Lab appears in many compound nouns: lab coat, lab equipment, lab work, lab report, and lab bench.

Common Mistakes

I have to go to the laboratory room for my chemistry class.
I have to go to the lab for my chemistry class.
'Laboratory' already means the room; adding 'room' is redundant. 'Lab' is the natural choice in everyday speech.

2. scientific analysis of bodily fluids or tissue samples, usually performed by a m

2.nounB1
Definition

scientific analysis of bodily fluids or tissue samples, usually performed by a medical laboratory to check for illness or monitor a person's health. Often used attributively before nouns such as 'results', 'test', or 'report'.

Example

The doctor told Emily that her lab results should be ready by Friday.

collocation: lab results / lab report / lab test

Soraya went to the clinic early to give a urine sample for the lab.

Common collocations
  • lab results
  • lab report
  • lab test
  • blood lab
  • send to the lab
Synonyms
  • test

    broader; can refer to any kind of test, not necessarily in a laboratory

  • analysis

    more formal; emphasises the scientific examination process

Grammar Patterns

the lab

lab results

blood lab

Usage Note

This sense is most often used attributively — before another noun — as in lab results, lab test, or lab report. It can also appear in fixed phrases like 'send it to the lab', where 'the lab' means the testing department of a hospital or clinic.

Common Mistakes

My lab came back normal.
My lab results came back normal.
'Lab' alone is not used to mean 'test results'. You need to specify 'lab results' or 'lab report'.

3. short for Labrador Retriever: a large dog with short fur that can be golden, bla

3.nounA2
Definition

short for Labrador Retriever: a large dog with short fur that can be golden, black, or chocolate-coloured, known for its friendly and gentle nature and often kept as a family pet.

Example

Min adopted a yellow lab from the animal shelter last spring.

collocation: yellow lab / black lab / chocolate lab

Tariq takes his lab for a long walk every morning before breakfast.

Common collocations
  • yellow lab
  • black lab
  • chocolate lab
  • family lab
  • Labrador puppy
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

a lab

the lab

Labs

Usage Note

When referring to the dog breed, the word is sometimes capitalised as 'Lab', especially in official breed contexts or in writing that treats 'Labrador' as the full name. In everyday speech, lowercase 'lab' is very common. The most common colour variants are yellow, black, and chocolate (brown).

Common Mistakes

I have a labrador.
I have a lab / Labrador.
When using 'lab' as the short form, the full breed name is 'Labrador Retriever', though 'Labrador' alone is also widely accepted in casual use.

Word family

  • laboratory
    nounB1
  • lab assistant
    nounB1
  • lab technician
    nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Laboratory is the formal equivalent of lab. You see 'laboratory' in official names (e.g. 'National Laboratory'), academic papers, and formal contexts. 'Lab' is the everyday spoken and written form — students say 'chem lab', not 'chemistry laboratory'. Research centre is broader: it can mean a whole building or institution housing several labs, offices, and meeting spaces. Workshop is different — it is a space for making or fixing things with tools (wood, metal, electronics), not for scientific experiments. For example: 'The biology lab has microscopes and Petri dishes,' while 'The carpentry workshop has saws and drills.' Choosing the right word depends on whether the space is for science (lab/laboratory), multi-room research (research centre), or hands-on building (workshop).

laboratory ↗research centreworkshop ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • lab coat
  • lab equipment
  • lab work
  • lab report
  • lab results
  • lab test
  • lab bench
  • lab assistant
  • lab technician
  • lab manager

Phrases

  • send something to the lab
  • work in a lab
  • run a lab
  • set up a lab

Prepositions

  • in the lab
  • at the lab
  • to the lab
  • from the lab

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Lab is a shortened form of 'laboratory', which came into English in the early 17th century from the Latin 'laboratorium', meaning 'a place for work' — itself from 'laborare' (to work). The abbreviation 'lab' first appeared in writing in the late 19th century as a casual shortening. The use of 'lab' for 'Labrador Retriever' dates from the mid-20th century, when the breed name was shortened the same way.