What does natatorium mean?
A natatorium is a large indoor swimming pool, particularly one used for swimming instruction, competitive training, diving, or aquatic exercise. The word is formal and more specific than swimming pool: it commonly suggests a purpose-built facility rather than a small pool at a hotel, apartment building, or private home. In the United States, natatorium is especially associated with schools, universities, and municipal recreation centers, many of which preserve the term in their names. British English also uses the word, although swimming pool and leisure centre may be more common in ordinary conversation. The word comes from Latin and is related to a group of English terms describing swimming or things adapted for swimming, such as natation, natatory, and natatorial. Its specialized character gives it a formal, institutional sound, while still being more precise than the broader term indoor pool.
nounA natatorium is a large indoor swimming pool or swimming facility, especially one designed for organized swimming, diving, or aquatic exercise.
- A large indoor swimming pool or facility used for swimming, diving, aquatic exercise, or organized swim instruction.
"The school built a new natatorium for its swim team and physical education classes."
"The community center's natatorium offers swimming lessons throughout the winter."
"After the renovation, the historic natatorium reopened with a new Olympic-size pool."
The regular English plural is natatariums. The plural natatoria is also recorded in formal or specialist usage.
"Two natatariums are included in the regional sports complex."
Natatorium is a formal name for a swimming pool, and it literally refers to a place built for swimming.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does natatorium come from?
Natatorium comes from Latin natatorium, meaning a place for swimming or a swimming pool. It was formed from natare, “to swim,” with a suffix indicating a place or instrument associated with an action. The English word entered use in the 19th century, and its relatives include natation, meaning swimming or the practice of swimming, and natatory, meaning relating to or adapted for swimming.
Related word forms
How natatorium is actually used
Natatorium is formal and relatively uncommon in everyday English. In general speech, swimming pool is more usual, while natatorium often suggests a substantial indoor facility intended for organized athletics.