What does bidet mean?
A bidet is a low ceramic basin, similar in shape to a small bathtub or sink, designed for washing the external genital and anal regions after using the toilet. It is installed as a separate fixture beside the toilet and is operated by running water from a tap or spray. Bidets are standard in bathrooms throughout much of continental Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, but they remain relatively uncommon in Britain and North America, where they are often viewed as an unfamiliar luxury rather than a necessity. In recent decades, electronic toilet seats with built-in bidet functions have grown popular, especially in Japan, making the concept more familiar to English-speaking consumers. The word itself comes from French, and while its pronunciation varies between anglicized and French-influenced forms, it is universally understood as a term for this distinctive piece of bathroom equipment.
nounA low basin-like fixture used for washing the genitals and anal area, typically installed next to a toilet in a bathroom.
- A low basin-like fixture used for washing the genitals and anus after using the toilet.
"The renovated bathroom featured a marble bidet beside the toilet."
"After the renovation, the master bathroom included both a toilet and a separate bidet."
"Many modern Japanese toilets combine the functions of a toilet and a bidet in one unit."
Standard plural formation; no irregular forms.
"The showroom displayed several different models of bidets."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bidet
The word 'bidet' was borrowed from French into English in the early 18th century. In French, 'bidet' originally meant a small horse or pony, and the name was applied to the fixture because users straddle it in the manner of riding a horse. The word entered English with the same meaning it holds in French, referring specifically to the hygiene fixture.
Usage notes
Bidets are far more common in continental Europe, South America, and parts of Asia than in the US or UK. The word is neutral in register, though some English speakers may find discussion of it slightly awkward due to its association with intimate hygiene.
Don't confuse with
A buffet is a meal or a sideboard for serving food, while a bidet is a plumbing fixture for personal hygiene.