# lavatory

/ˈɫævəˌtɔɹi/ (US) · /lˈævətəɹˌi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lavatory
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a toilet or bathroom

noun · CEFR B1 · Formal · British English

a polite or formal word for a toilet, or the room that contains it.

For teachers: a room containing a toilet, or the toilet fixture itself. Often used as a formal euphemism in British English or on aircraft.

- The flight attendant showed the passenger where the nearest lavatory was located.
- The historic building's original plans included a small lavatory on each floor, though these have since been modernised for public use.

Usage: In American English, 'restroom' is more common; 'lavatory' is frequently seen on signs in airplanes and trains.

### 2. a washing bowl

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

a bowl or sink used for washing your face and hands.

For teachers: a vessel or basin used for washing, particularly in a religious or formal historical context.

- The monk used a stone lavatory to wash his hands before the ceremony.
- The cathedral's cloister features a beautifully preserved medieval lavatory where the brothers once performed their daily ablutions.

Teaching tip: This sense is rare in modern conversation; learners will mostly encounter it in historical literature or descriptions of old architecture.

## Examples

- The lavatory is located at the back of the building.
- The hotel staff directed the guests to the lavatory on the second floor.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.