urinal

noun

uri·​nal ˈyər-ə-nᵊl 

ˈyu̇r-

British also yu̇-ˈrī-nᵊl

1

: a vessel for receiving urine

2

a

: a building or enclosure with facilities for urinating

b

: a fixture used for urinating

Examples of urinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s because in 101-level art history courses, Duchamp is still taught as the man who invented the readymade, seizing objects that were already out there in the world—urinals and bottle racks, shovels and bicycle wheels—and re-presenting them as sculptures of his own. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 8 Apr. 2026

If the toilet malfunctions, the crew can use collapsible urinals that collect urine in a bag and discharge it overboard. —Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026

The Ford was also designed without urinals, which use less water than toilets. —Steve Walsh, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026

Both areas also had separate rows of urinals. —Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin, from Latin urina

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

urinal

noun

uri·​nal ˈyu̇r-ən-ᵊl 

: a container for receiving urine

also : a place for urinating

Medical Definition

urinal

noun

uri·​nal ˈyu̇r-ən-ᵊl 

1

: a vessel into which a bedridden person urinates

2

: a container worn by a person with urinary incontinence