washroom
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See also: wash room
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From wash + room in reference to its sinks, but generally used euphemistically outside of Canada and the United States.
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
washroom (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[edit]
The 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[edit]
Derived terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
toilet — see toilet