The term ‘lab’ is often used as a shortened form of the word ‘laboratory.’ While ‘laboratory’ is a formal term used in scientific contexts, ‘lab’ has become widely accepted in everyday language. In this sense, ‘lab’ can be considered a colloquialism, particularly in informal settings where people may refer to various types of laboratories, such as science labs in schools or research labs, in a more casual manner.
Colloquialisms are words or phrases that are commonly used in conversation but might not be appropriate in formal writing or speech. Given that ‘lab’ is used frequently in both spoken and informal written contexts, it is categorized as a colloquial expression. However, it is important to note that context matters. In professional scientific research papers or formal documents, ‘laboratory’ is typically used instead of ‘lab’ to maintain a formal tone.