Lavatory vs. Sink: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A lavatory is a room or fixture for washing, often equipped with a toilet, while a sink is a basin with a water supply and drain, used for washing hands or dishes.
Key Differences
A lavatory typically refers to a bathroom or a fixture in a bathroom used for personal hygiene, including a toilet and sometimes a washbasin. A sink, on the other hand, is a basin installed with taps to supply water and is primarily used for washing hands, dishes, and other small items.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
In many contexts, lavatory can mean a room equipped with a toilet and facilities for washing hands and face, often including a mirror. A sink is usually part of a lavatory but is specifically the basin with taps and a drain for water.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
A lavatory is designed for a broader range of hygienic activities, potentially including showering or bathing, depending on its size and facilities. In contrast, a sink is specialized for tasks involving running water, like hand washing or rinsing objects.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Lavatories are found in residential homes, public spaces, and transportation vehicles, providing a space for overall hygiene and sanitation. Sinks are found in lavatories, kitchens, utility rooms, and sometimes outdoors, serving specific cleaning purposes.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
The term lavatory often conveys a sense of privacy and personal care, whereas a sink is more utilitarian, focusing on the practical aspect of cleaning and washing.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A room or fixture for washing, often with a toilet
A basin with water supply and drain, for washing hands/dishes
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Dec 18, 2023
Primary Use
Personal hygiene, including toilet use
Handwashing, dishwashing, and other cleaning tasks
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Dec 18, 2023
Location
Usually in bathrooms, sometimes standalone in public areas
In bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms, and outdoors
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Dec 18, 2023
Components
May include toilet, sink, shower, or bathtub
Includes basin, taps, and drain
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Dec 18, 2023
Connotation
Implies privacy and personal care
Focuses on practical cleaning and washing tasks
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Dec 18, 2023
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Lavatory and Sink Definitions
Lavatory
A fixture used for washing hands and face.
The airplane had a small lavatory at the back.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
A kitchen fixture with taps and a drain.
He installed a new stainless steel sink in the kitchen.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
A public restroom facility.
The lavatory in the mall was exceptionally clean.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
A basin in a bathroom for handwashing.
The sink in their bathroom is made of marble.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
A room for personal hygiene activities.
Their new house has a lavatory with a luxurious bathtub.
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Dec 10, 2023
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Sink
To go below the surface of water or another liquid
We watched the leaky inner tube slowly sink.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
A bathroom or washroom in a building.
The lavatory is down the hall to the left.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To descend to the bottom of a body of water or other liquid
Found the wreck where it had sunk.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
A room equipped with washing and often toilet facilities; a bathroom.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To fall or drop to a lower level, especially to go down slowly or in stages
The water in the lake sank several feet during the long, dry summer.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
A washbowl or basin, especially one permanently installed with running water.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To fall or lower oneself slowly, as from weakness or fatigue
The exhausted runner sank to the ground.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To feel great disappointment or discouragement
Her heart sank within her.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
(Christianity) A piscina: the basin used for washing communion vessels.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To pass into something; penetrate
The claws sank into the flesh of the prey.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
(Christianity) A lavabo: the basin used for washing one's hands before handling the Eucharist.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
A baptismal font: the basin used for baptism, used figuratively for the washing away of sins.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
(construction, interior design) A plumbing fixture used for washing: a sink.
Their 'bathroom' included a toilet and a lavatory but no bath.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To deteriorate in quality or condition
The patient is sinking fast. The family sank into a state of disgrace.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
(Christianity) The lavabo: the ritual washing of hands before handling the eucharist.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To become weaker, quieter, or less forceful
His voice sank to a whisper.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
(Christianity) The ritual washing of hands after using the piscina to clean the communion vessels.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To make an impression; become felt or understood
The meaning finally sank in.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To cause to descend beneath the surface or to the bottom of a liquid
Sink a ship.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To cause to penetrate deeply
He sank his sword into the dragon's belly.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
(euphemism) A room containing a toilet: a bathroom US or WC UK.
Americans don't know 'WC' and Brits mock 'bathroom' but everyone usually understands 'toilet' or 'lavatory'.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
(obsolete) A paved room in a mortuary where corpses are kept under a shower of disinfecting fluid.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To cause to be engrossed
"Frank sank himself in another book" (Patricia Highsmith).
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To make weaker, quieter, or less forceful
She sank her voice when the manager walked by.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To reduce in quantity or worth
The bad news will sink markets around the world.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To debase the nature of; degrade
The scandal has sunk him in the eyes of many.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To bring to a low or ruined state; defeat or destroy
Loss of advertising sank the newspaper.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
A room containing one or more sinks for washing, as well as one or more toilet fixtures; also called bathroom, toilet, and sometimes commode. Commode and toilet may refer to a room with only a toilet fixture, but without a sink.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To invest or spend, often without getting a return or adequate value
I've sunk a lot of money into that car.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
A bathroom or lavatory sink that is permanently installed and connected to a water supply and drainpipe; where you wash your hands and face;
He ran some water in the basin and splashed it on his face
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
A water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe and generally a piped supply of water.
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Dec 10, 2023
Lavatory
A room containing a toilet and basin for washing.
He excused himself to use the lavatory.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
A natural or artificial means of absorbing or removing a substance or a form of energy from a system.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
A place regarded as wicked and corrupt
That city is a sink of corruption.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
(ergative) To descend or submerge (or to cause to do so) into a liquid or similar substance.
A stone sinks in water.
The sun gradually sank in the west.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
(transitive) To (directly or indirectly) cause a vessel to sink, generally by making it no longer watertight.
An iceberg sank the Titanic.
British battleships sank the Bismarck.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
(transitive) To push (something) into something.
The joint will hold tighter if you sink a wood screw through both boards.
The dog sank its teeth into the delivery man's leg.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
(transitive) To make by digging or delving.
To sink a well in the ground
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To experience apprehension, disappointment, dread, or momentary depression.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
(intransitive) To demean or lower oneself; to do something below one's status, standards, or morals.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
(intransitive) To decrease in volume, as a river; to subside; to become diminished in volume or in apparent height.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
(ecology) A habitat that cannot support a population on its own but receives the excess of individuals from some other source.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
(uncountable) Descending motion; descent.
An excessive sink rate at touchdown can cause the aircraft's landing gear to collapse.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
(baseball) The motion of a sinker pitch.
Jones has a two-seamer with heavy sink.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
(game development) One or several systems that remove currency from the game's economy, thus controlling or preventing inflation.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To fall by, or as by, the force of gravity; to descend lower and lower; to decline gradually; to subside; as, a stone sinks in water; waves rise and sink; the sun sinks in the west.
I sink in deep mire.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To enter deeply; to fall or retire beneath or below the surface; to penetrate.
The stone sunk into his forehead.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
Hence, to enter so as to make an abiding impression; to enter completely.
Let these sayings sink down into your ears.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To be overwhelmed or depressed; to fall slowly, as so the ground, from weakness or from an overburden; to fail in strength; to decline; to decay; to decrease.
I think our country sinks beneath the yoke.
He sunk down in his chariot.
Let not the fire sink or slacken.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To decrease in volume, as a river; to subside; to become diminished in volume or in apparent height.
The Alps and Pyreneans sink before him.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To cause to sink; to put under water; to immerse or submerge in a fluid; as, to sink a ship.
[The Athenians] fell upon the wings and sank a single ship.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
Figuratively: To cause to decline; to depress; to degrade; hence, to ruin irretrievably; to destroy, as by drowping; as, to sink one's reputation.
I raise of sink, imprison or set free.
If I have a conscience, let it sink me.
Thy cruel and unnatural lust of powerHas sunk thy father more than all his years.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To make (a depression) by digging, delving, or cutting, etc.; as, to sink a pit or a well; to sink a die.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To bring low; to reduce in quantity; to waste.
You sunk the river repeated draughts.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To conseal and appropriate.
If sent with ready money to buy anything, and you happen to be out of pocket, sink the money, and take up the goods on account.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
To keep out of sight; to suppress; to ignore.
A courtly willingness to sink obnoxious truths.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
A shallow box or vessel of wood, stone, iron, or other material, connected with a drain, and used for receiving filthy water, etc., as in a kitchen.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
A hole or low place in land or rock, where waters sink and are lost; - called also sink hole.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
The lowest part of a natural hollow or closed basin whence the water of one or more streams escapes by evaporation; as, the sink of the Humboldt River.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
Plumbing fixture consisting of a water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
(technology) a process that acts to absorb or remove energy or a substance from a system;
The ocean is a sink for carbon dioxide
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
A depression in the ground communicating with a subterranean passage (especially in limestone) and formed by solution or by collapse of a cavern roof
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
Descend into or as if into some soft substance or place;
He sank into bed
She subsided into the chair
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
Appear to move downward;
The sun dipped below the horizon
The setting sun sank below the tree line
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
Fall heavily or suddenly; decline markedly;
The real estate market fell off
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
Embed deeply;
She sank her fingers into the soft sand
He buried his head in her lap
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
A basin used for washing hands or dishes.
She filled the sink with soapy water to wash the dishes.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
A receptacle in a utility room for laundry tasks.
They use the utility sink for soaking stained clothes.
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Dec 10, 2023
Sink
An outdoor basin for garden work.
He rinsed his muddy boots in the outdoor sink.
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Dec 10, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a sink?
A sink is a basin with taps and a drain, used for washing hands or dishes.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Can a lavatory exist without a sink?
Rarely, as most lavatories include a sink for handwashing.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
What is a lavatory?
A lavatory is a room or fixture for washing, often equipped with a toilet.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Do all homes have a lavatory?
Most homes have at least one lavatory for hygiene purposes.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Are sinks made of different materials?
Yes, sinks can be made of stainless steel, porcelain, marble, etc.
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Dec 18, 2023
Is a lavatory the same as a bathroom?
Often, but a bathroom might also include a shower or bathtub.
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Dec 18, 2023
Is a sink only found in a lavatory?
No, sinks can also be in kitchens, utility rooms, and outdoors.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Can a sink be used for cooking purposes?
Kitchen sinks are often used for food preparation tasks.
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Dec 18, 2023
Do public places have to provide a lavatory?
Most public places are required to have lavatories for sanitation.
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Dec 18, 2023
Are there different styles of lavatories?
Yes, ranging from simple to luxurious, with various fixtures.
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Dec 18, 2023
Is it common to find a sink outside of a lavatory?
Yes, especially in kitchens and utility rooms.
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Dec 18, 2023
Can a sink be a decorative element?
Absolutely, many sinks are designed for aesthetic appeal.
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Dec 18, 2023
Are sinks easy to install?
Installation complexity varies depending on the type of sink.
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Dec 18, 2023
Is a lavatory important for hygiene?
Yes, it's essential for maintaining personal and public hygiene.
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Dec 18, 2023
Do lavatories add value to a property?
Yes, especially well-designed or multiple lavatories.
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Dec 18, 2023
Do all sinks have taps?
Most do, but some utility sinks might not have taps.
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Dec 18, 2023
Can sinks be environmentally friendly?
Yes, some sinks are designed to conserve water and be eco-friendly.
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Dec 18, 2023
Can a sink be portable?
Some sinks, like those used in camping, are designed to be portable.
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Dec 18, 2023
Is a lavatory private space?
Generally, lavatories are considered private spaces.
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Dec 18, 2023
Are lavatories used in all cultures?
While the design may vary, most cultures have some form of lavatory.
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Dec 18, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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