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

Here there is a dual sink vanity with a marble counter, a jetted tub, and separate room for a large tiled shower and the commode. —James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 6 Apr. 2025

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule does have a commode designed for use in microgravity, but astronauts also sometimes wear special undergarments. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025

The Associated Press reported this week that a second man, Michael Jones, has been convicted for his role in the burglary of the 215-pound gilded commode, which authorities have yet to recover. Jones, 39, was found guilty of burglary in the Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday, according to the AP. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025

Unfortunately, snakes slithering into commodes is not uncommon. —Kelli Bender, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025

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