What does hospitalize mean?
Hospitalize means to place or keep a person in a hospital so that they can receive medical care. It is used when someone is admitted after an accident, illness, surgery, or worsening health condition: “She was hospitalized for observation after the fall.” In British English, the usual spelling is hospitalise. The word is most common in medical, news, and administrative contexts and often indicates a formal admission rather than a brief visit for treatment. It can also have a broader meaning of arranging hospital treatment for someone. Although its meaning is generally practical and neutral, the verb may sometimes suggest institutional confinement or excessive reliance on hospitals when used in political or social criticism.
verbTo admit a person to a hospital for medical treatment, or to keep someone in hospital when their condition requires it. It can also mean to arrange for someone to receive treatment in a hospital.
- To admit a person to a hospital for treatment.
- To keep a person in hospital when their medical condition requires it.
"The doctor hospitalized him after tests revealed a serious infection."
"Several children were hospitalized with severe respiratory infections."
"The clinic was overwhelmed and began hospitalizing non-emergency cases."
Hospitalize is a verb with a deceptively social cousin: hospitality originally described the friendly reception given to guests, before hospital and its derivatives focused on care and treatment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of hospitalize
Hospitalize was formed in the 19th century from hospital and the suffix -ize, meaning “to make into” or “to treat in a specified way.” Hospital comes through Old French from the Latin hospitium, a guesthouse or lodging, and ultimately from the Latin hospes, meaning “guest” or “host.” The same Latin family produced hospitable, hospitality, and hospice, reflecting the older association between a hostel and the welcoming or sheltering of people.
Related word forms
How hospitalize is actually used
Hospitalize is formal and especially common in medical and administrative contexts. British English usually uses hospitalise. The word can imply either a medically necessary admission or, in more critical contexts, unnecessary institutional treatment.
Easily confused with hospitalize
Hospitalize is the usual spelling in the United States, while hospitalise is the standard British spelling of the same verb.
Hospitalize means to place or keep someone in a hospital for treatment, whereas hospitality refers to friendly and welcoming treatment of guests.