# restroom

/ˈɹɛsˌtɹum/ (US) · /ɹˈɛstɹuːm/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. public toilet

noun · CEFR A2 · American English

a room in a public building that has toilets and sinks for washing your hands.

For teachers: a public facility containing toilets and hand-washing stations. This term is the standard polite designation in North American English.

- Excuse me, could you tell me where the restroom is?
- The restaurant manager ensured that the restrooms were cleaned every hour to maintain a high standard of hygiene for the guests.

Usage: The word is almost always used in the singular when referring to a specific facility, even if it contains multiple stalls.

Teaching tip: Learners should be aware that 'restroom' is the preferred polite term in the US, whereas 'toilet' can sound too direct or even slightly crude in social situations.

### 2. room for resting

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a room in a building where people can go to sit and relax.

For teachers: a room specifically designated for physical rest or relaxation, often found in historical contexts or specific workplaces.

- The old factory had a small restroom where workers could sit during their break.
- In the original architectural plans for the library, a quiet restroom was included for staff to use during their long shifts.

Teaching tip: This literal sense is rarely used today; modern speakers will almost always assume you are talking about a toilet.

## Examples

- Excuse me, where is the nearest restroom?
- The restaurant manager ensured the restroom was cleaned every hour to maintain a high standard for customers.

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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.