Meaning of lavatory in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈlævəˌtɔri/

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  1. Noun

    lavatory

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from late Latin lavatorium‘place for washing’, from Latin lavare‘to wash’. The word originally denoted something in which to wash, such as a bath or piscina, later (mid 17th century) a room with washing facilities; the current sense dates from the 19th century

    Definitions

    1. a room equipped with toilet facilities
  2. 2. a bathroom or lavatory sink that is permanently installed and connected to a water supply and drainpipe

    Examples

    • « where you wash your hands and face »
    • « he ran some water in the basin and splashed it on his face »
  3. 3. a toilet that is cleaned of waste by the flow of water through it

Famous quotes

  • « In my experience, if you have to keep the lavatory door shut by extending your left leg, it's modern architecture. »
    Nancy Banks Smith
  • « When you get to my age life seems little more than one long march to and from the lavatory. »
    A. C. Benson

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