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
lavatory
adjective
Synonyms
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 family said the flight attendant went back into the lavatory after the girl exited.
—
Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
In addition to upgrading the lavatories, airlines will be required to train crew annually on how to stow wheelchairs and assist passengers to and from the bathrooms.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2023
The barrier, which may look more like a gate than a hardened door, will be locked into place when the cockpit door is opened during flight – such as to allow pilots to access the lavatory.
—Gregory Wallace, CNN, 14 June 2023
Monuments—galleys, lavatories, and stowage compartments—are finished in workshops, then moved to a mock-up of the plane.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 9 July 2023
For a long time, she was also forced to use a public bathroom, shared with the show's studio audience, while her co-host Regis Philbin had a private lavatory.
—Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2023
Airlines won’t be required to retrofit existing aircraft, but will have to add accessibility features if a lavatory is replaced.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2023
These flights often last more than four hours—and sometimes up to eight hours, as Chris Dong reports for AFAR—during which time many travelers with disabilities cannot access the lavatory.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023
United Airlines started rolling out Braille placards for seat numbers and lavatories in the past few weeks.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 27 July 2023
See More
Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
In addition to upgrading the lavatories, airlines will be required to train crew annually on how to stow wheelchairs and assist passengers to and from the bathrooms.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2023
The barrier, which may look more like a gate than a hardened door, will be locked into place when the cockpit door is opened during flight – such as to allow pilots to access the lavatory.
—Gregory Wallace, CNN, 14 June 2023
Monuments—galleys, lavatories, and stowage compartments—are finished in workshops, then moved to a mock-up of the plane.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 9 July 2023
For a long time, she was also forced to use a public bathroom, shared with the show's studio audience, while her co-host Regis Philbin had a private lavatory.
—Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2023
Airlines won’t be required to retrofit existing aircraft, but will have to add accessibility features if a lavatory is replaced.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2023
These flights often last more than four hours—and sometimes up to eight hours, as Chris Dong reports for AFAR—during which time many travelers with disabilities cannot access the lavatory.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023
United Airlines started rolling out Braille placards for seat numbers and lavatories in the past few weeks.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 27 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lavatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing lavatory
Articles Related to lavatory
Dictionary Entries Near lavatory
Cite this Entry
“Lavatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lavatory. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
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
More from Merriam-Webster on lavatory
Nglish: Translation of lavatory for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of lavatory for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share