1. Members of a medieval military and religious order (the Knights Hospitaller) dedicated to caring for pilgrims and the sick, and later to fighting against Muslim forces.
Usage: historical; often capitalized; plural form
2. People who work in or manage hospitals; hospital staff or administrators.
Usage: rare; archaic

Examples

• The hospitalers established a network of hospitals throughout the Mediterranean during the Crusades.
• Medieval hospitalers took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
• The hospitalers eventually relocated to Malta, where they remained influential for centuries.
• These warrior monks were known as hospitalers because of their original mission to care for sick pilgrims.
• The order of hospitalers combined military prowess with charitable service.