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

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

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

‘Let’s buy this bulk box of chickpea cans and toilet paper.’

From MarketWatch • Jan. 25, 2026

If ignored, he’d drag a ribbon of toilet paper across the bathroom and shred it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

According to the firefighter, the fire began last month when a park visitor lit his toilet paper on fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

For the rest of the day, Carol had thrown balled-up toilet paper at the back of her head.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi