latrine

American  

[luh-treen] / ləˈtrin /

noun

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

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latrine British  

/ ləˈtriːn /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of latrine

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

Example Sentences

Researchers collected 50 sediment samples from along the drain, which stretched roughly nine meters and carried waste from a communal latrine into a stream north of the fort.

From Science Daily

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

From Salon

Flooding is bringing raw sewage into the streets, as water-management and sanitation infrastructure is destroyed, and improvised latrines spill over.

From The Wall Street Journal

Men carry buckets of water for the communal kitchens and improvised latrines while women stir massive pots over open flames.

From Barron's

The British diplomat said he had met residents returning to destroyed homes trying to dig latrines in the ruins.

From Barron's

Related Words

• bathroom
• outhouse
• restroom
• toilet