Skip to content

dispensaire

dispensary, community health clinic

noun dees-pahn-SEHR Rare
Body & Health Medicine

Usage Note

Dispensaire refers to a publicly funded outpatient clinic that provides basic healthcare without requiring hospitalisation, often in lower-income or rural areas. It is distinct from a cabinet médical (private doctor's surgery) or hôpital. In international aid contexts, French NGOs use the word for field clinics set up in crisis zones.

Examples

"Elle s'est rendue au dispensaire du quartier."

Natural Translation

She went to the neighbourhood health clinic.

Explore French by topic