toilet training

American  

noun

1. the training of a very young child to control and regulate bowel and bladder movements and use the toilet.

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toilet training British  

noun

1. the process of teaching young children to control the timing of bladder and bowel movements and to use the lavatory

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Etymology

Origin of toilet training

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

"It's time to stop blaming parents, ensure that local services have adequate resources to support toilet training, and a bladder and bowel provision in place to help those who experience problems – before it's too late."

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2025

The California Department of Education received so many questions on toilet training last year they clarified their policy: Schools must admit all age-eligible children, regardless of whether they are potty-trained.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2023

But funding for the project ran out, and Whistance wasn’t convinced that toilet training cows would be practical for farmers or the cattle themselves.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 13, 2021

Frequently in conversation, someone will talk about toilet training their child and say, “I just wasn’t going to have little Pilsner be one of those 5-year-olds still in diapers!”

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2019

In spite of his name he wasn’t bright, and he had yet to master toilet training, although he was old enough to attend school.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer