commode

American  

[kuh-mohd] / kəˈmoʊd /

noun

• commodes
  plural

1. a low cabinet or similar piece of furniture, often highly ornamental, containing drawers or shelves.

2. a stand or cupboard containing a chamber pot or washbasin.

3. toilet.

4. a portable toilet, especially one on a chairlike frame with wheels, as for an invalid.

5. an elaborate headdress consisting chiefly of a high framework decorated with lace, ribbons, etc., worn perched on top of the hair by women in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

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commode British  

/ kəˈməʊd /

noun

1. a piece of furniture, usually highly ornamented, containing drawers or shelves

2. a bedside table with a cabinet below for a chamber pot or washbasin

3. a movable piece of furniture, sometimes in the form of a chair, with a hinged flap concealing a chamber pot

4. a woman's high-tiered headdress of lace, worn in the late 17th century

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• commodes
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of commode

First recorded in 1680–90; from French, from Latin commodus “convenient, fitting, suitable”; equivalent to com- + mode ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

commode commodes

I mean, let’s face it, we don’t put ADA-required rails on every commode in every bathroom.

From Salon ● Feb. 18, 2026

Three years later, the Guggenheim sent its commode to England’s Blenheim Palace, where it was installed in Winston Churchill’s wood-paneled bathroom.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025

Gonzalez said Medi-Cal determined the chair, which can cost more than $1,000, was “a luxury” item that they did not need — but that they qualified for a commode.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2024

"Sometimes you can clog the commode and let the water run," Mr Johnson, 67, said.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2023

"Will you come to the commode with me, too? Stand beside me while I use it?"

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Renaissance and Medieval pieces, and the “quality camp” or “fantasy furniture” he favored — weird and whimsical pieces embellished with mythical creatures; chairs sprouting antlers, torcheres bedecked with gargoyles, commodes atop griffin feet.

From New York Times ● Feb. 27, 2024

It found "visibly dirty" sinks, stained commodes and clinical waste bins with rusty lids.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2022

Bear said the commodes are often out of toilet paper as well.

From Seattle Times ● May 2, 2021

Composting commodes have been placed throughout the camp.

From Time ● Dec. 2, 2016

Already I was heavy-hearted in my soul for the flush commodes and machine-washed clothes and other simple things in life I have took for granite.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

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Related Words

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