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

The captain had briefly left the cockpit to use the lavatory when the copilot fainted during a flight from Frankfurt to Seville, Spain, on February 17, 2024, said the report from the agency, called CIAIAC. —Alex Stambaugh, CNN Money, 19 May 2025

Will all the airborne lavatories be gold-plated — or just the presidential ones? —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 15 May 2025

Because that's not necessarily water on the floor of the lavatory. —Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific and Germany’s Diehl Aviation were both double winners, with Diehl impressing with its smart design for an accessible airplane lavatory with wide doors and foldable sinks. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 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