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

• bathroom
• restroom
• toilet

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

Individual disposable towels and/or hand drying device not provided at lavatory or hand sink. —Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025

For soiled diapers, however, BabyCenter recommends using the airplane’s lavatory, where a changing table is typically provided. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025

At the other end of the cultural spectrum, Bal Thackeray, cartoonist and founder of the Shiv Sena, the Hindu militant organization in Mumbai, received Michael Jackson at his home in 1996 and boasted afterward that the pop star had used and then autographed his lavatory. —Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

Locking properly also prevents other passengers from walking into an occupied lavatory, avoiding both hygiene issues and embarrassment. —Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 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