commode

[ kuh-mohd ]

noun

1. a low cabinet or similar piece of furniture, often highly ornamental, containing drawers or shelves.
2. a stand or cupboard containing a chamber pot or washbasin.
3. toilet ( def 1 ).
4. a portable toilet, especially one on a chairlike frame with wheels, as for an invalid.
5. an elaborate headdress consisting chiefly of a high framework decorated with lace, ribbons, etc., worn perched on top of the hair by women in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

commode

/ kəˈməʊd /

noun

1. a piece of furniture, usually highly ornamented, containing drawers or shelves
2. a bedside table with a cabinet below for a chamber pot or washbasin
3. a movable piece of furniture, sometimes in the form of a chair, with a hinged flap concealing a chamber pot
4. a woman's high-tiered headdress of lace, worn in the late 17th century

Word History and Origins

Origin of commode¹

First recorded in 1680–90; from French, from Latin commodus “convenient, fitting, suitable”; equivalent to com- + mode ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of commode¹

C17: from French, from Latin commodus commodious

Example Sentences

Some of the nurses were wearing adult nappies or using patient commodes because there wasn’t time for toilet breaks.

From BBC

Managing her mother's pain, plus arranging items such as a wheelchair and commode, meant Ceridwen Hughes was not able to say a proper goodbye.

From BBC

To commemorate the commode’s installation, residents celebrated at a “potty party” they called the Toilet Bowl.

From New York Times

Renaissance and Medieval pieces, and the “quality camp” or “fantasy furniture” he favored — weird and whimsical pieces embellished with mythical creatures; chairs sprouting antlers, torcheres bedecked with gargoyles, commodes atop griffin feet.

From New York Times

We are landing in a few minutes, so please close the commode lid and sit on it and secure yourself.

From BBC

Related Words

• dresser