toilet paper

American  

[toi-lit pey-per] / ˈtɔɪ lɪt ˌpeɪ pər /

Also TP,

noun

1. Also called bathroom tissue.  Also called toilet tissue,.  a soft, lightweight, sanitized paper used in bathrooms for personal cleansing after elimination.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to cover a house, a tree, or other structure, usually on someone’s home property, with strips of toilet paper, as a prank.

   Toilet papering the chief of police’s car was a risky choice—you’re going to get fined for littering or trespassing if he catches you.

toilet paper British  

noun

1. thin absorbent paper, often wound in a roll round a cardboard cylinder ( toilet roll ), used for cleaning oneself after defecation or urination

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Etymology

Origin of toilet paper

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Long under Washington’s radar, the First Capital Command, known by its Portuguese initials PCC, started out as a disgruntled band of inmates fighting for soap and toilet paper in the 1990s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

At the heart of this effort is a fast-moving battle over how consumers will find and buy everything from toilet paper to furniture through AI platforms such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Unicharm has been able to recycle these materials into products with less rigorous sanitary requirements, like toilet paper.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

A Costco clerk in Northridge saw people brawling over toilet paper and water.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

She picked up the roll of toilet paper and placed the stumpy doll leg into the center of the cardboard tube.

From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez