English

Alternative forms

• toiletroom, toilet-room

Noun

toilet room ‎(plural toilet rooms)

1. (historical) A room in which to perform one's toilet, including dressing and grooming, particularly before execution.
   • 1800, William Tooke, History of Russia, Vol. II, p. 428:

     We first enter a set of apartments, that are fitted up as toilette-rooms for the ladies.

   • 1868 July 18, "Monsieur de Paris" in Every Saturday, Vol. VI, p. 78:

     Before dawn already the executioner repairs to the prison, and signs at the office the certificate by which he vouches for the delivery of the person whom he is to behead. He then enters the so-called toilet-room, a narrow, dark chamber, whither the poor sinner, accompanied by the priest, is soon taken.

   • 1961, R.H. van Gulik, Sexual Life in Ancient China, Chapter vi, p. 168:

     The wealthy official Shih Ch'ung [sc., Shi Chong]... had more than ten beautiful girls... always stand at attendance in the toilet room to help the guest ‘change clothes’.

2. (originally US euphemistic, now sometimes mildly offensive) A room in which to use a toilet: a lavatory.
   • 1854, San Francisco Board of Education, Annual Report, p. 9:

     The other apartments are for toilet rooms for both sexes, on first and second floors.

   • 1895, State of Wisconsin, Laws, p. 795:

     To have at least four seat closets placed in the toilet room adjoining the assembly and at least two in the toilet room adjoining the senate.

Usage notes

As a lavatory, the simple term toilet is now generally used for both the fixture and the place, although toilet room is still sometimes encountered where clarity is desired.

Synonyms

• (obsolete room for dressing and grooming): cabinet, chamber
• (lavatory): toilet; lavatory room (dated); see also Wikisaurus:bathroom

Derived terms

• gentlemen's room, ladies' room, men's room, women's room
• tearoom (as a lavatory)

References

1. ↑ "toilet, n.", in the Oxford English Dictionary (2014), Oxford: Oxford University Press.