washroom
See also: wash room
English
editEtymology
editFrom wash + room in reference to its sinks, but generally used euphemistically outside of Canada and the United States.
Pronunciation
editNoun
editwashroom (plural washrooms)
- A room intended to wash the face and hands.
- 1960 December, “New G.E. Line diesel loco maintenance depot at Stratford”, in Trains Illustrated, page 767:
- Bright, modern offices, washrooms and messrooms are located in the centre block.
- (Canada, rarely US, euphemistic) A room with a toilet, particularly a public toilet.
Usage notes
editThe term originated in the US but has been largely replaced by restroom except in certain regions of the country. It continues to be the most common word for a public facility in Canadian English.
Synonyms
edit- (room with a sink): lavatory
- (room with a toilet): See Thesaurus:bathroom
Hypernyms
editDerived terms
editTranslations
edittoilet — see toilet