What does washbasin mean?
A washbasin is a fixed bowl or basin, usually installed in a bathroom, where a person washes their hands and face. It consists of a basin together with the tap or taps and drainage needed for use. In British English, washbasin is the usual everyday term, while American speakers more commonly say sink. The word can refer broadly to the whole fixture or unit as well as to the basin itself. It is used in homes, offices, hotels, hospitals, and other buildings where hand-washing facilities are provided. Compared with more technical terms such as lavatory, washbasin is plain and descriptive, focusing on the fixture's purpose rather than the room or building in which it stands. Although the word is now associated mainly with bathroom plumbing, it is also useful when discussing fixtures, plumbing work, hygiene, or interior design.
nounA fixed basin or bowl, usually in a bathroom, used for washing one's hands and face.
- A fixed bowl or basin used for washing the hands and face.
"She washed her hands at the washbasin before breakfast."
"The bathroom is fitted with a washbasin and a mirror."
"Hotel guests complained that the washbasin in their room was leaking."
The usual plural form, used when referring to multiple fixtures.
"The contractor installed three washbasins in the public restrooms."
A washbasin is refreshingly literal: it is simply a basin made for washing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does washbasin come from?
Washbasin is a transparent compound formed from wash and basin, and it has been attested since the early nineteenth century. Basin had already entered English from French bassin, which in turn continues Latin basinus. The compound therefore joins an inherited English word about washing with an earlier borrowing denoting a broad, shallow vessel.
Related word forms
How washbasin is actually used
This is a standard, neutral word in British English and is also used in American English, though sink is more common in the United States.
Easily confused with washbasin
A washbasin is specifically a basin intended for washing, whereas a sink can also be a kitchen fixture used for washing dishes or preparing food.
A washbasin is a fixed bathroom fixture, while basin can refer to a freestanding bowl, a wide shallow vessel, or a geographical depression.