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Public toilet

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A public toilet is a room or small building for everyone to use.

YorkUniversityWashroom
YorkUniversityWashroom

These facilities include toilets and sinks. They are found in many busy places. You might see them in schools, offices, or museums. They are also on trains, planes, and ferries.

Hidden Toilets (15665565952)
Hidden Toilets (15665565952)

Some are small buildings on the street. Others are inside private buildings like restaurants. Some people must pay a fee to use them. These are often called pay toilets.

Naivasha Public Toilet with Water Kiosk (4918863019)
Naivasha Public Toilet with Water Kiosk (4918863019)

Public toilets work in different ways. Many are split into male and female rooms. Some are unisex, meaning anyone can use them.

Some toilets have stalls with locks for privacy. In some places, men use urinals mounted on a wall.

Finnish airport urinals (42006370752)
Finnish airport urinals (42006370752)

You might find seated toilets or squat toilets. Squat toilets are common in many Asian and African countries.

Hocktoilette am Bahnhof in Varenna - 1
Hocktoilette am Bahnhof in Varenna - 1

Some modern toilets are even self-cleaning pods. These are called Sanisettes and became popular in France.

Paris-France-Pay-Toilet
Paris-France-Pay-Toilet

Some toilets are portable and move to outdoor festivals.

People have used public toilets for a very long time.

Ostia-Toilets
Ostia-Toilets

In ancient Rome, toilets were part of a large sanitation system. They used long benches with holes for many people. Using them was actually a social activity back then. During the Middle Ages, public toilets became very rare. One example of an old toilet is in Sarajevo. It was built in 1530 near a mosque.

Ostia-Toilets
Ostia-Toilets

This toilet is still working today. Later, new rules about being polite made them common again.

Different countries use many different names for these rooms.

YorkUniversityWashroom
YorkUniversityWashroom

In the United States, people say "restroom" or "bathroom." In Canada, the word "washroom" is very common.

YorkUniversityWashroom
YorkUniversityWashroom

People in Britain might say "loo" or "lavatory." In the Philippines, they often say "comfort room" or "C.R." In Europe, you might see the letters "W.C." on a sign. This stands for "water closet."

Hidden Toilets (15665565952)
Hidden Toilets (15665565952)

These names help people find what they need quickly.

Public toilets are also designed to help everyone.

Pictograms-nps-accommodations-mens-restroom-2
Pictograms-nps-accommodations-mens-restroom-2

Some toilets are made for people with disabilities. They have wider doors and more space to turn around.

FloralRestroomMosaic
FloralRestroomMosaic

They also include lowered sinks and grab-bars for safety. Some special places have even more tools. These might include a hoist or a changing bench.

Koala Kare changing table open
Koala Kare changing table open

Making toilets accessible helps more people use them comfortably. This is an important part of how cities are built.

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🖼️ Images & Media (32)
File:FloralRestroomMosaic.JPG
FloralRestroomMosaic.JPG
File:City of London Cemetery accessible disabled toilet block Newham London 1.jpg
City of London Cemetery accessible...
File:YorkUniversityWashroom.JPG
YorkUniversityWashroom.JPG
File:Naivasha Public Toilet with Water Kiosk (4918863019).jpg
Naivasha Public Toilet with Water Kiosk...
File:Hidden Toilets (15665565952).jpg
Hidden Toilets (15665565952).jpg
File:Hocktoilette_am_Bahnhof_in_Varenna_-_1.jpg
Hocktoilette_am_Bahnhof_in_Varenna_-_1.jpg
File:Urilift, Göteborg, Kungsportsplatsen 03.jpg
Urilift, Göteborg, Kungsportsplatsen 03.jpg
File:Ostia-Toilets.JPG
Ostia-Toilets.JPG
File:Les_règles_de_la_bienséance_et_de_la_civilité_chrétienne_1822.jpg
Les_règles_de_la_bienséance_et_de_la_civil...
File:Gents' washroom, Domus Media, University of Oslo - 20140616.jpg
Gents' washroom, Domus Media, University...
File:Lavatory2.jpg
Lavatory2.jpg
File:L-toilet4.png
L-toilet4.png

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