Added 8 October 2026
lavatory
/ˈlæv.ə.tɹi/ noun
Latin root: lavātōrium Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about lavatory at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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A vessel or fixture for washing, particularly: A laver: a washbasin. A bathtub. A piscina: the basin used for washing communion vessels. A lavabo: the basin used for washing one's hands before handling the Eucharist. A baptismal font: the basin used for baptism, used figuratively for the washing away of sins. A plumbing fixture used for washing: a sink.
Their 'bathroom' included a toilet and a lavatory but no bath.
- A laver: a washbasin.
- A bathtub.
adjective
Origin
From Middle English lavatorie, from Late Latin lavātōrium, from Latin lavāre (“to wash”) + -ium (forming places related to an activity). As a place to pan gold, via Spanish lavadero. Doublet of lavatorium and laver. See also lave.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)