toilet

1 [C] a large bowl attached to a pipe that you sit on or stand over when you get rid of waste matter from your body: Have you flushed the toilet? * (BrE) I need to go to the toilet (= use the toilet). * a toilet seat * toilet facilities 2 (BrE) (AmE bathroom) [C] a room containing a toilet: Every flat has its own bathroom and toilet. * Who's in the toilet? 3 (BrE) [C] (also toilets [pl.]) a room or small building containing several toilets, each in a separate smaller room: public toilets * Could you tell me where the ladies' toilet is, please? 4 [U] (old-fashioned) the process of washing and dressing yourself, arranging your hair, etc. ______________________________ BRITISH/AMERICAN toilet / bathroom In BrE, but not in AmE, the room that has a toilet in it is usually referred to as a toilet. This room in people's houses can also be called the lavatory, or informally, the loo. An extra downstairs toilet in a house can be called the cloakroom. In public places, especially on signs, the words toilets, Gents (for men's toilets) or Ladies (for women's toilets) are used for a room or small building containing several toilets. You might also see WC or Public Conveniences on some signs. In AmE the room that contains a toilet is usually called the bathroom, never the toilet. A room with a toilet in a public place can also be called a restroom, ladies' room, women's room or men's room. Washroom is an old-fashioned word. ______________________________