sanitary towel

American  

noun

British.

1. sanitary napkin.

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sanitary towel British  

noun

1. an absorbent pad worn externally by women during menstruation to absorb the menstrual flow

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Etymology

Origin of sanitary towel

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Charity chief executive, Fola Komolafe, said she wanted people to experience "what it's like to make a sanitary towel" to give them a greater understanding of the issue.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

The environmental catastrophe that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson tackles in San Andreas pales in comparison with the used sanitary towel that Holly from Letchworth Garden City found after a screening of the 2015 disaster movie.

From The Guardian • Aug. 9, 2018

The night before – word had spread quickly around town – he had walked into Whisky à Go-Go nightclub with a Kotex sanitary towel taped to his forehead.

From The Guardian • Nov. 15, 2015

Mr Mitchell attributes his survival to fellow passenger Julie Gruen, who helped him tie a tourniquet around his damaged leg using her coat and a sanitary towel.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2015

When Scofield has to talk about some woman giving "the golden sanitary towel award," he seems to be holding the line out at arm's length between a fastidious thumb and forefinger.

From Time Magazine Archive