water closet

noun

plural water closets

1

: a compartment or room with a toilet

Confronted with the cramped confines of a bathroom in a typical starter home—one of those spaces aptly described by the term water closet—homeowners may well entertain grand plans for expansion.

—Peter O. Whiteley

A private water closet opened off the sleeping area.

—Shirley Slater

—abbreviation WC

2

: a toilet bowl and its accessories

I could see part of the tub and part of the water closet in the bathroom. The tub had claw and ball feet, and the water closet had a pull chain from the storage tank mounted up by the ceiling.

—Robert B. Parker

—abbreviation WC

Synonyms

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

Examples of water closet in a Sentence

the first house in town to have an indoor water closet

Recent Examples on the Web

Holding true to classic Hamptons style, the en-suite bath features shiplap walls, a stand-alone soaking tub, a separate shower, a water closet, and double sinks. —Rachel Pyne, Robb Report, 2 July 2024

The other bedroom, off the foyer, has an en suite bathroom with a separate shower room and water closet. —Angela Serratore, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2024

The Ohio congressman, who had been expected to meet with holdouts opposing his candidacy, was missing for hours before aides noticed a desperate bellowing sound from inside his office’s water closet. —Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023

There are two water closets, a steam shower, soaking tub, wardrobe room and laundry. —Jeastman, oregonlive, 14 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

water closet

noun

1

: a compartment or room with a toilet bowl

2

: a toilet bowl with its fixtures