urinal

noun

uri·​nal ˈyər-ə-nᵊl How to pronounce urinal (audio)
ˈyu̇r-,
 British also  yu̇-ˈrī-nᵊl
1
: a vessel for receiving urine
2
a
: a building or enclosure with facilities for urinating
b
: a fixture used for urinating

Examples of urinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nineteen artists have turned toilet seats and urinals into works of art that address the needs of public bathrooms. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 10 Jan. 2024 In the summer of 2020, days before the new $2 billion stadium opened its doors to the public, building technicians flushed its nearly 1,430 toilets and urinals. Simultaneously. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 3 Feb. 2024 The top tier of patronage during pre-opening fund-raising was a $25,000 package of perks that included having your name on a plaque over one of the museum’s urinals or toilet stalls. Brett Martin, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023 This shape is replicated in miniature throughout the building interiors, from the couches and the carpets to the splash guards in the urinals. Stephen Witt, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023 Even the Port-A-Potties have sprigs of mint in the urinals. BostonGlobe.com, 24 July 2023 This image of Scott Hatteberg using the ancient urinal in the runway between the dugout and the clubhouse at Fenway didn't win the author many fans with the old Sox regime. BostonGlobe.com, 24 July 2023 Photo: Rachel Kuzma/Sotheby’s International Realty There was no kitchen when von Hartz saw the place: This was where a row of urinals was. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 June 2023 Prescott: turf to low water use landscape, automatic irrigation controller, high-efficiency toilet and washing machine, commercial urinals, hot water recirculation, rainwater cistern, rain garden. The Arizona Republic, 27 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'urinal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin, from Latin urina

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of urinal was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near urinal

Cite this Entry

“Urinal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urinal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

urinal

noun
uri·​nal ˈyu̇r-ən-ᵊl How to pronounce urinal (audio)
: a container for receiving urine
also : a place for urinating

Medical Definition

urinal

noun
uri·​nal ˈyu̇r-ən-ᵊl How to pronounce urinal (audio)
1
: a vessel into which a bedridden person urinates
2
: a container worn by a person with urinary incontinence

More from Merriam-Webster on urinal

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