latrine

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "latrine" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use the word to refer to a type of outhouse or public toilet, usually without running water. Example sentence: "We passed by a few small dwellings on our hike, but there was no sign of a latrine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Where there is a latrine for the pupils the girls are left to clean up, causing them to miss classes and risk exposure to disease.

The Guardian

Eating Marines rations of dry biscuits and turkey paste in the desert, followed by use of a particularly inventive latrine at dusk was a great bonding experience.

The Guardian

As David Satterthwaite has put it (pdf): "Having access to a pit latrine is not the same in a rural setting where it is used by one family and can be sited to avoid contaminating water sources, and urban settings where 50 households share it and where there is so much faecal matter that it is very difficult to protect water sources from contamination".

The Guardian

They beat and battered her before throwing her into a 12ft-deep pit latrine, leaving her for dead.

The Guardian

"We're happy that girls have a separate latrine," she says, "especially during menstrual time.

The Guardian

If we didn't have the latrine, we would have no option but to go back home, missing many classes".

The Guardian

According to this law, the definition of "manual scavenger" has been widened to include a person engaged or employed for manual cleaning of human excreta in an insanitary latrine, an open drain or pit, on railway tracks, etc. Rehabilitation has been included in the act, and scholarship for children of manual scavengers, and training in another profession along with a stipend.

The Economist

Their house had no electricity, a rusty corrugated iron roof and no ceiling; "the toilet was a pit latrine outside and we had to draw water from a communal tap a few streets away".The underlying and sometimes overriding theme in Mda junior's anguished autobiography is his admiration for his father's life and his failure to live up to it.

The Economist

Led by Diane Coffey, an economist at Princeton, it found that even among households with a working latrine, more than 40% reported that at least one family member preferred to defecate in the open.

The Economist

Some pundits think early warnings for cholera could be more sophisticated.The WHO also points out that 2.6 billion people around the world lack access to a latrine that is not overflowing, that is affordable and that has a tap nearby to wash hands.

The Economist

The majority of slum-dwellers in the MIT sample have no private latrine; in one Mumbai slum, taps are shared by more than 100 people.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "latrine" when referring to sanitation facilities lacking modern amenities, especially in historical, military, or developing world contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "latrine" when describing contemporary bathrooms in developed countries. It can sound archaic or overly clinical.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "latrine" is that of a noun. It refers to a place, specifically a toilet or sanitation facility, often of a basic or temporary nature. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, including historical settings and developing countries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "latrine" is a noun primarily used to describe a basic toilet or sanitation facility, often in historical, military, or developing world contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, the word is correct and usable in written English, generally referring to an outhouse or public toilet without running water. Its usage is very common across various sources, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While grammatically sound, it is advisable to avoid overuse in describing modern bathrooms in developed countries. Alternatives such as "toilet", "lavatory", and "outhouse" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

toilet

A general term for a fixture used for urination and defecation; broader in scope than "latrine".

lavatory

A more formal term for a toilet or washroom.

outhouse

Specifically refers to an outdoor toilet, often a simple structure.

privy

An older term for a toilet, often an outhouse.

comfort station

A public restroom, typically found in parks or other public areas.

restroom

A public or private room with toilets and sinks.

washroom

Similar to restroom; a room with toilets and sinks.

water closet

A room or compartment with a toilet.

portable toilet

A movable toilet unit, often used at events or construction sites.

public convenience

A British term for a public restroom.

FAQs

How can I use "latrine" in a sentence?

You can use "latrine" to refer to a basic toilet, especially in historical or developing world contexts. For example, "The soldiers constructed a temporary "latrine" near the camp."

What can I say instead of "latrine"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "toilet", "lavatory", or "outhouse".

Which is correct, "latrine" or "bathroom"?

"Latrine" refers specifically to a basic toilet, often a pit or trench, while "bathroom" is a more general term for a room with a toilet, sink, and often a shower or bath. The correct term depends on the type of facility you are describing.

What is the difference between "latrine" and "toilet"?

"Latrine" typically implies a more rudimentary or temporary sanitation facility, often found in camps or developing areas. "Toilet" is a broader term that can refer to any fixture used for urination and defecation, including modern, plumbed facilities.