Definition

To put someone in a hospital so they can receive medical care or treatment.

Example

The doctor decided to hospitalize the patient for further observation.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you hear about Tom? He had to be hospitalized after his accident.

Oh no! I hope he's okay.

Yeah, they said he’ll stay for a few days for observation.

That makes sense. I hope he recovers quickly.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Hospitalize → It is formed from "hospital" (from Latin *hospitale*, meaning a place for guests or a lodging) and "-ize" (a suffix used to form verbs meaning to make or to become). The word "hospitalize" means to make someone a patient in a hospital or to provide hospital care.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'hospital' as a place where people go for care, and the '-ize' means to make someone part of that care — that's why hospitalize means to make someone a patient in a hospital.

Visually Confused Words