lavatory
noun
lav·a·to·ry
ˈla-və-ˌtȯr-ē 
British -və-t(ə-)rē
plural lavatories
1
: a vessel (such as a basin) for washing
especially
: a fixed bowl or basin with running water and drainpipe for washing
2
: a room with conveniences for washing and usually with one or more toilets
the airplane's lavatory
3
lavatory
adjective
Examples of lavatory in a Sentence
a wide choice of lavatories on sale at plumbing supply stores
the school's filthy, broken-down lavatories were a disgrace
Recent Examples on the Web
The door to Orion's lavatory is on the capsule's floor.
—
Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
On the evening of June 2, 1983, an Air Canada DC-9 traveling from Dallas to Toronto on the way to Montreal had an electrical fire in the lavatory that caused severe smoke and cut out essential electrical systems.
—Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026
Those who were standing were sent somersaulting down the aisles; those sitting in the lavatories smashed into the ceiling.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The app also lets users save their favorite public lavatories for easy access.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lavatory
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
On the evening of June 2, 1983, an Air Canada DC-9 traveling from Dallas to Toronto on the way to Montreal had an electrical fire in the lavatory that caused severe smoke and cut out essential electrical systems.
—Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026
Those who were standing were sent somersaulting down the aisles; those sitting in the lavatories smashed into the ceiling.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The app also lets users save their favorite public lavatories for easy access.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lavatory
Cite this Entry
“Lavatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lavatory. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lavatory
noun
lav·a·to·ry
ˈlav-ə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
plural lavatories
1
: a basin for washing
especially
: a small sink with running water and drainpipe
2
: a room with lavatories and usually with toilets
3
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