What does urinal mean?
The urinal is a toilet fixture designed for urination. It is typically mounted on a wall or pedestal and consists of a bowl for urine. Urinals are commonly found in public restrooms, such as those in offices, restaurants, and airports. The term 'urinal' is formal or technical, often used in construction or maintenance contexts. It is not typically used in informal conversation, where more general terms like 'toilet' or 'water closet' are preferred. However, in certain situations, such as in a professional or technical setting, 'urinal' may be the preferred term. Overall, the urinal is a common fixture in many public spaces, and its use is generally understood in a technical or formal sense.
nounA toilet fixture consisting of a bowl for urine, typically mounted on a wall or pedestal.
- A toilet fixture consisting of a bowl for urine, typically mounted on a wall or pedestal.
"The men's restroom had a row of urinals along one wall."
"The men's restroom had a row of urinals along one wall."
"The new office building had a modern urinal in each stall."
The plural form 'urinals' is used when referring to multiple urinals, such as in a public restroom.
"The new office building had multiple urinals in each stall."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of urinal
The word 'urinal' is derived from the Latin 'urina', meaning 'urine'. This Latin term is also the source of the English word 'urine', which refers to the liquid waste produced by the kidneys. The term 'urinal' has been in use since the 15th century, initially referring to a container or vessel for holding urine. Over time, the term evolved to refer specifically to the toilet fixture designed for urination.
How urinal is actually used
Urinal is a formal or technical term, often used in construction or maintenance contexts. It is not typically used in informal conversation.