noun (n)

• a workplace for the conduct of scientific research(noun.artifact)

  Synonym:
  lab, research lab, research laboratory, science lab, science laboratory
  

  source: wordnet30
• a region resembling a laboratory inasmuch as it offers opportunities for observation and practice and experimentation(noun.location)

  Example:
  Pakistan is a laboratory for studying the use of American troops to combat terrorism.
  

  Synonym:
  testing ground
  

  source: wordnet30
• The workroom of a chemist; also, a place devoted to experiments in any branch of natural science; as, a chemical, physical, or biological laboratory. Hence, by extension, a place where something is prepared, or some operation is performed; as, the liver is the laboratory of the bile.(noun)

  source: webster1913