lavatory

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

noun

plural

lavatories 

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 called: toilet.  water closet.  WC. 

   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

Much of the action in the show takes place in the lavatory, with the women plotting to make money or manipulate their partners.

From BBC

BBC Scotland News understands that the Scottish government is confident that the vast majority of schools in Scotland already offer single-sex lavatories.

From BBC

"We take this opportunity to urge passengers to use lavatories only for the purposes that they are meant for," it said.

From BBC

Others associated the slogan with demand for lavatories.

From BBC

Mr Jackson said six or seven police officers then boarded the plane and he overheard a flight attendant say a woman had been going from one lavatory to the other during the flight.

From BBC

Related Words

• latrine 
• restroom 
• toilet