restroom

American  

[rest- room, room] / ˈrɛstˌ rum, ˌrʊm /

Or rest room

noun

1. rooms or a room having a sink, toilet, and other facilities for use by employees, visitors, etc., as in a store, theater, or office.

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Etymology

Origin of restroom

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Compare meaning

How does restroom compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• restroom vs. bathroom

Explanation

A restroom is a public bathroom or lavatory. You might stop at a fast food restaurant during a long drive to use the restroom and buy some fries. You'll find restrooms in restaurants, libraries, schools, highway rest areas, and shopping malls, among other places. Many restrooms are open to the public at large, while others are reserved for customers. While the term restroom is extremely common in the U.S., a restroom in Britain doesn't usually contain a toilet — it is simply a place to sit and rest. And in Canada, it's more often called a washroom.

Example Sentences

They had become separated because of the untimely need of a restroom visit, and with the help of the Secret Service he got to her quickly.

From Salon • May 1, 2026

There are several ways germs can enter your body in a public restroom:

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

The school, which has about 2,750 students, started limiting restroom hours, locking the doors during chunks of class time and after school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

She went to a park in Pasadena recently and got worried after entering a restroom.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026

I rushed through a maze of tables filled with wondrous objects to reach the restroom as fast as I could.

From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Related Words

• bathroom
• lavatory
• sauna
• shower
• toilet