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bathtub

American

[bath-tuhb, bahth-] / ˈbæθˌtʌb, ˈbɑθ- /

noun

a tub to bathe in, especially one that is a permanent fixture in a bathroom.

bathtub British

/ ˈbɑːθˌtʌb /

noun

a bath, esp one not permanently fixed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bathtub

First recorded in 1825–35; bath ¹ + tub

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Karen said the cubs seemed to feel safe within the small box, which was then placed in her bathtub.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

The energy was palpable behind the scenes: U.S. teams placed a door on top of a bathtub that served as a desk, where the sides established negotiating positions and discussed plans long into the night.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

In the foreground, the midwife, known from Byzantine tradition as Salome, meets Joseph’s eyes as she steadies the water he pours into the baby’s bathtub.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

A ceramic red-haired mermaid sits in the corner of her spacious bathtub.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

“He promised to fix the faucet in the bathtub if I’d just get out of his way. Said he couldn’t tackle the job with me standin’ there watchin’ him fail.”

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023