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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 During a flight from Denver to Orlando on January 16, flight attendant Diana Giraldo helped the mother to the plane's back lavatory and assisted her in giving birth, Frontier Airlines said. 
Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 19 May 2022 Diana helped the mother to the back lavatory and assisted the mother in giving birth. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 18 May 2022 Seat spacing and lavatory size shrank with every new airplane design. Roger Dooley, Forbes, 8 June 2022 The 33-foot-long cabin had been used to train Delta’s in-flight teams in Atlanta, and includes a (nonworking) lavatory and 42 standard coach seats from a retired Boeing 737. Harriet Baskas, NBC News, 28 June 2022 But about 20 minutes into the flight, the fire alarm in the rear lavatory went off. Ted Reed, Forbes, 10 June 2022 Giraldo helped the passenger to a back lavatory and assisted in the delivery. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 18 May 2022 Airbus designed an inflight Covid quarantine tent, while Japanese airline ANA introduced hands-free lavatory doors. Maureen O'hare, CNN, 31 Dec. 2021 The modernity of the housing stock was important: the O’Tooles had electricity, running water, and an indoor lavatory. James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2022 See More
Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 19 May 2022 Diana helped the mother to the back lavatory and assisted the mother in giving birth. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 18 May 2022 Seat spacing and lavatory size shrank with every new airplane design. Roger Dooley, Forbes, 8 June 2022 The 33-foot-long cabin had been used to train Delta’s in-flight teams in Atlanta, and includes a (nonworking) lavatory and 42 standard coach seats from a retired Boeing 737. Harriet Baskas, NBC News, 28 June 2022 But about 20 minutes into the flight, the fire alarm in the rear lavatory went off. Ted Reed, Forbes, 10 June 2022 Giraldo helped the passenger to a back lavatory and assisted in the delivery. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 18 May 2022 Airbus designed an inflight Covid quarantine tent, while Japanese airline ANA introduced hands-free lavatory doors. Maureen O'hare, CNN, 31 Dec. 2021 The modernity of the housing stock was important: the O’Tooles had electricity, running water, and an indoor lavatory. James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
lavatory
noun
lav·a·to·ry ˈla-və-ˌtȯr-ē
plural lavatories
1
: a small sink (as in a bathroom)
2
: a room for washing that usually has a toilet
3
: toilet sense 1
lavatory
noun
as in bathroom
a room furnished with a fixture for flushing body waste the school's filthy, broken-down lavatories were a disgrace Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bathroom
- restroom
- toilet
- washroom
- bath
- latrine
- loo
- potty
- cloakroom
- water closet
- bog
- john
- can
- commode
- convenience
- comfort station
- outhouse
- head
- privy
- pot
- garderobe
- pan
- powder room
- jakes
- half bath
- ladies
- men's room
- ladies' room
