Definition of "lavatory" in English

noun

1. A vessel or fixture for washing, particularly:

   • And thow shalt make a brasun lauatory with his foot to wasshe with.

2. Handwashing as an act, particularly

   • Wᵗ condicion that at the tyme of the Lavatory eueryche of theym turne theym to the people, and exorte theym to pray for ye soules following...

3. (obsolete) A liquid used in washing; a lotion; a wash; a rinse.

4. (dated) A washroom: a room used for washing the face and hands.

5. (euphemistic) A room containing a toilet: a bathroom (US) or WC (UK).

   • Americans don't know 'WC' and Brits mock 'bathroom' but everyone usually understands 'toilet' or 'lavatory'.

6. (UK, New England) A plumbing fixture for urination and defecation: a toilet.

7. (dated) A place to wash clothes: a laundry.

8. (obsolete) A place where gold is panned.

9. (obsolete) A paved room in a mortuary where corpses are kept under a shower of disinfecting fluid.

adjective

1. (dated) Washing, or cleansing by washing.