What does washbowl mean?
A washbowl is a bowl-shaped basin intended for washing the hands or face. It may be a fixed bathroom fixture or a freestanding vessel, depending on the context. The word is understood in both British and American English, though sink and washbasin are often more familiar terms in descriptions of modern bathrooms. In a specialized technical context, washbowl can also mean the bowl or tub inside a washing machine. The compound is transparent in meaning: wash identifies the vessel's purpose, while bowl describes its shape. Although a washbowl is primarily associated with personal washing and hygiene, the word is not restricted to bathroom use, since a washbowl can appear in a washroom, utility area, workshop, or other place where water is readily available. Its plain, slightly old-fashioned sound gives it an informal domestic quality while remaining precise and readily understood.
nounA bowl-shaped basin used for washing one's hands or face. More rarely, the term denotes the bowl or tub of a washing machine.
- A bowl-shaped vessel or basin used for washing the hands or face.
- The bowl or tub of a washing machine.
"She washed her hands in the small washbowl beside the sink."
"He filled the washbowl with warm water before washing his face."
"The technician opened the washing machine to inspect the washbowl."
The noun is countable and normally used in the singular when referring to one vessel; the plural is used for multiple washbowls.
"The hotel provided separate washbowls for each guest."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does washbowl come from?
Washbowl is an English compound formed from the verb wash and the noun bowl. Wash continues Old English wascan, while bowl comes through Middle English from Old English bolla; both elements are Germanic in origin. The compound names an object according to its function and shape, reflecting the straightforward English practice of creating transparent descriptive compounds.
How washbowl is actually used
The word is generally neutral in tone, although washbasin or sink may sound more natural in everyday domestic contexts. The sense referring to a washing-machine bowl is specialized and less common.
Easily confused with washbowl
A washbasin is the fixture or basin in which hands are washed, while a washbowl more specifically names the bowl-shaped receptacle or washing-machine bowl.