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

: toilet sense 1a

lavatory adjective

Synonyms

• bath
• bathroom
• bog [British]
• can
• cloakroom [British]
• comfort station
• convenience [chiefly British]
• head
• john
• latrine
• loo [chiefly British]
• potty
• restroom
• toilet
• washroom
• water closet

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

Delta aims to provide dedicated overhead bin space for every passenger, more accessible seating and lavatories and fewer rows to create a less crowded environment. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025

Although the interior design is still being finalized, the horizontal spread of the aircraft cabin and reduced depth mean that a lavatory, or galley, is within six to seven rows fore or aft. —Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

When alarms sounded in the early hours of September 14, 2019, as thieves ran off with the golden lavatory, staffers searched the museum before realizing it was gone. —The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 20 Mar. 2025

The plane's unique shape offers endless possibilities, Delta said, including dedicated overhead bin space for 250 passengers, accessible seats and lavatories, and fewer rows. —Joann Muller, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lavatorie, from Medieval Latin lavatorium, from Latin lavare to wash — more at lye

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lavatory

• lavatory paper

Rhymes for lavatory

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• category
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• extempore
• feudatory

Kids 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

: toilet sense 2b

Etymology

Middle English lavatorie "basin for washing," from Latin lavatorium (same meaning), derived from earlier lavare "to wash" — related to laundry, lavish, lotion