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Synonyms

latrine

American  
[luh-treen] / ləˈtrin /

noun

  • latrines
    plural
  1. a toilet or something used as a toilet, as a trench in the earth in a camp, or bivouac area.


latrine British  
/ ləˈtriːn /

noun

  1. a lavatory, as in a barracks, camp, etc

"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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of latrine

1635–45; < French < Latin lātrīna, short for lavātrīna place for washing, derivative of lavāre to wash

Vocabulary lists containing latrine

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.

See Examples For:

The best weapon in the “Jackass’” arsenal isn’t the taser, the beehive or the booby-trapped latrine.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

In 2018, after the death of a second student, it was established that more than 4,500 schools in the country had pit latrine toilets, which were often shoddily built and left uncovered.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026

The parasite analysis focused on sediment taken from a sewer drain connected to the latrine block of a bath complex dating to the 3rd century CE.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 21, 2025

There was no water, and the stench of the latrine was unbearable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2025

He roosts right inside our latrine, which is near where his empty cage was thrown by the Reverend into the weeds.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

His job hauling buckets of sewage from the latrines was no fun.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

Pit toilets are basic, non-flush latrines that collect human waste in a deep hole in the ground.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026

At 7:00 am, relatives brought packages: deodorant, toothpaste, soap and shampoo in labeled plastic bags, plus disinfectant and bleach -- provisions essential for maintaining hygiene in the latrines of tiny cells.

From Barron's ● Jan. 10, 2026

She had been nowhere except her house and the latrines since coming home from the hospital, Kai said.

From Salon ● Dec. 16, 2025

I can't risk running, but I walk as fast as I can to the latrines.

From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper

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