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sanatorium

/ˈsænəˌtɔriəm/
/sænəˈtɔriəm/
IPA guide

Other forms: sanatoriums

A sanatorium is a place to go when you're suffering or recuperating from a long illness. It was once common for tuberculosis patients to be treated at a sanatorium.

In some parts of the world, including Russia and the Czech Republic, a sanatorium is more of a health spa, with the added benefit of available medical treatments. While there are very few sanatoriums left in North America, they were once the preferred location for chronically ill patients, especially before antibiotics for treating tuberculosis were developed in the mid-20th century. The Latin sanus, "well, healthy, or sane," is the root of sanatorium.

Definitions of sanatorium
  1. noun
    a hospital for recuperation or for the treatment of chronic diseases
    synonyms: sanatarium, sanitarium
    see moresee less
    type of:
    hospital, infirmary
    a health facility where patients receive treatment
  2. noun
    pejorative terms for an insane asylum
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