commode

noun

com·​mode kə-ˈmōd 

1

a

: a low chest of drawers

b

: a boxlike structure holding a chamber pot under an open seat

also : chamber pot

c

: toilet sense 1a

d

: a movable washstand with a cupboard underneath

2

: a woman's ornate cap popular in the late 17th and early 18th centuries

Illustration of commode

• commode 2

Examples of commode in a Sentence

There are towels in the cabinet above the commode.

Recent Examples on the Web

Its bath has a Jacuzzi tub, a large steam shower, and a room for the commode. —James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026

Shield the commode from the view of the hallway or adjacent room by placing the vanity in between. —Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026

But that cure would be worse than the disease and would simply increase the rate of spiraling down the fiscal commode. —Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 2 Feb. 2026

Many have commode sinks and brass faucets, standalone tubs and showers set within an industrial-chic frame. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from commode, adjective, suitable, convenient, from Latin commodus, from com- + modus measure — more at mete

First Known Use

circa 1688, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for commode

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• corrode
• crossroad
• decode

Kids Definition

commode

noun

com·​mode kə-ˈmōd 

1

a

: a low chest of drawers

b

: a movable washstand with a cupboard underneath

2

: toilet sense 2b