mid-13c., "shelter for the needy," from Old French hospital, ospital "hostel" (Modern French hôpital), from Late Latin hospitale "guest-house, inn," neuter of Latin adjective hospitalis "of a guest or host," from hospes (genitive hospitis); see host (n.1). Later "charitable institution to house and maintain the needy" (early 15c.); sense of "institution for sick people" is first recorded 1540s.
hospital hos·pi·tal (hŏs'pĭ-tl, -pĭt'l)
n.
An institution that provides medical, surgical, or psychiatric care and treatment for the sick or the injured.