lavatory

[ lav-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

noun

, plural lav·a·to·ries.

1. a room fitted with equipment for washing the hands and face and usually with flush toilet facilities.
2. a flush toilet; water closet.
3. a bowl or basin with running water for washing or bathing purposes; washbowl.
4. any place where washing is done.

lavatory

/ -trɪ; ˈlævətərɪ /

noun

1. Also calledtoiletwater closetWC
   1. a sanitary installation for receiving and disposing of urine and faeces, consisting of a bowl fitted with a water-flushing device and connected to a drain
   2. a room containing such an installation
2. the washing place in a convent or monastic establishment

Word History and Origins

Origin of lavatory¹

1325–75; Middle English lavatorie < Late Latin lavātōrium washing-place, equivalent to Latin lavā ( re ) to wash + -tōrium -tory ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of lavatory¹

C14: from Late Latin lavātōrium, from Latin lavāre to wash

Example Sentences

The change in lawyers came after Wilson Elser said in a court document that any harm to the girl could be blamed on her “fault and negligence” for using the lavatory, “which she knew or should have known contained a visible and illuminated recording device.”

From Seattle Times

A former American flight attendant is accused of luring girls to use the lavatory after taping his iPhone to the toilet seat and explaining that the seat was broken.

From Seattle Times

According to investigators, about midway through a Sept. 2, 2023, flight from Charlotte to Boston, the 14-year-old got up to use the main cabin lavatory nearest to her seat but found it was occupied.

From Seattle Times

Thompson told her the first-class lavatory was unoccupied and escorted her there, investigators said.

From Seattle Times

"We've only got one lavatory," she says.

From BBC

Related Words

• latrine
• restroom
• toilet