comfort station

American  

noun

1. a room or building with toilet and lavatory facilities for public use.

---

comfort station British  

noun

1. a public lavatory and rest room

---

Etymology

Origin of comfort station

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

Seattle provides dogs a sidewalk comfort station with trees and rocks on Third Avenue outside Westlake Station, but none for humans, unless they can find an available retail building’s restroom.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 19, 2023

The comfort station, destined for a plaza in Noe Valley, was put on hold after its price tag became international news.

From Slate • Oct. 28, 2022

The outdoor comfort station — sheathed in wood that’s painted a pleasing celadon — is not far from the entrance to the 33-acre nature preserve.

From Washington Post • Oct. 6, 2021

Critics who liked the monumental grandeur of the shaft called the mooring mast “a silly gesture” and “a public comfort station for migratory birds.”

From New York Times • Sep. 19, 2019

Helene looked out of the window halfway expecting to see a comfort station in the distance; instead she saw gray- green trees leaning over tangled grass.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison