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latrine

noun
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la·​trine | \ lə-ˈtrēn How to pronounce latrine (audio) \

Definition of latrine

1 : a receptacle (such as a pit in the earth) for use as a toilet
2 : toilet sense 1
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Synonyms for latrine

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Examples of latrine in a Sentence

where's the nearest latrine, soldier?
Recent Examples on the Web Visitors can take guided tours or wander through the building on their own, stepping inside some of the spartan 6-by-10-foot cells, still outfitted with beds, lockers, latrines and other remnants of life behind bars. — Lori Rackl, chicagotribune.com, "Time’s up: Cell Block 7, a museum within a Michigan prison complex, will close at the end of the year," 20 Nov. 2019 But the gains decline to 60 cents if, as often happens, the new social norms fail to take hold and the latrines fall into disuse. — The Economist, "Free exchange Cost-benefit analyses offend against the notion that life is priceless," 16 Nov. 2019 Travelling to the mess tent and the latrine required hooking in to ropes. — Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, "A Photographer at the Ends of the Earth," 30 Sep. 2019 Police discovered her fetus in the latrine and charged Hernández with aggravated homicide. — Michael Brice-saddler, Washington Post, "A Salvadoran woman was charged in the death of her stillborn baby. A judge acquitted her.," 19 Aug. 2019 Schemes were hatched in the repulsive latrines, where guards disdained to enter. — New York Times, "An Improbable Relic of Auschwitz: a Shofar That Defied the Nazis," 21 Sep. 2019 In Gonzagueville, there are 14 latrines for 2,700 children and their teachers. — Anemona Hartocollis, New York Times, "Less Trash, More Schools — One Plastic Brick at a Time," 27 July 2019 Solitary confinement cells were tiny, a meter wide and two meters long with a latrine hole at one end. — Bassem Mroue, Fox News, "Clues but no answers in one of Syria war's biggest mysteries," 13 Aug. 2018 The remains of an old CCC latrine stand amid a meadow of tiny, violet flowers called bluets. — Sarah Kaplan, chicagotribune.com, "Travel science: Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania," 11 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'latrine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of latrine

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for latrine

French, from Latin latrina, contraction of lavatrina, from lavare to wash — more at lye

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Time Traveler for latrine

Time Traveler

The first known use of latrine was in 1642

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Statistics for latrine

Last Updated

26 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Latrine.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latrine. Accessed 21 January 2020.

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More Definitions for latrine

latrine

noun
How to pronounce latrine (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of latrine

: an outdoor toilet that is usually a hole dug in the ground

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More from Merriam-Webster on latrine

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for latrine

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with latrine

Spanish Central: Translation of latrine

Nglish: Translation of latrine for Spanish Speakers

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