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basin

basin

4 1.0
A fixed bowl in a bathroom connected to water and a drain for washing hands and face
  • noun
  • /ˈbeɪsən/
  • UK
: lavabo
  • "Where's your mama?" Nettie Lee asked, setting the basin of water on the cart.
  • wash basin
  • basin full of water

So we can install our Ecuadorian basin in Miami.

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Examples

  • Pour the water into my basin and go put another log on the fire.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • At last, he walked to the basin of water that rested atop the table.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • And bring a basin of warm water.

  • Oh, I'll want the basin and some hot water, please.

  • Uncle Tommy is standing at the basin, running it full of water.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • We had this little basin installed at our house when we renovated and it's been the best thing ever.

  • At the outside gate, there were large basins of water for people to wash themselves.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Sadie rushed up with a basin, and I washed my hands.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • I turned the gold-plated tap to warm, filled the basin, and held my wrists under the water.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • After washing my hands, I dried them at the basin before heading out.

Synonyms

sink
vsbasin
309 1.0

A fixed basin in a kitchen or bathroom for washing dishes and hands

is narrower, a bathroom fixture for washing face and hands only
washbasin
vsbasin
  • UK
2 2.4

A fixed bowl in a bathroom used for washing hands and face

is similar but defined by connection to plumbing and drain
lavatory
vsbasin
1 2.3

A sink fixed in a bathroom for washing hands

is the same installed bathroom fixture named in more general terms
washbowl
vsbasin
1 2.4

A bowl or basin for cleaning hands and face

is specifically a fixed, plumbed bathroom unit rather than portable
lavabo
vsbasin
  • Jargon
1 9.9

A basin in a church used for washing hands before a service

is the common bathroom fixture used daily rather than a ritual one
handbasin
vsbasin
  • UK
1 2.0

A small sink fixed to a wall for washing hands

includes washing of both hands and face and full plumbing attachment
wash-hand basin
vsbasin
  • UK
3.2

A bowl fixed to a wall or on a stand where people clean their hands and face

is the same fixture but explicitly described as plumbed and fixed to supply

Compounds

river basin
  • Specialized
4 3.5

Land where a river and its streams send water to the same place

emesis basin
  • Specialized
2 7.1

A shallow, curved bowl patients use to hold vomit

2 6.0

A pool near the sea that fills with water at high tide used for docks or flood control

drainage basin
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A large area of land where all the rain and rivers flow into the same river or sea

1 3.0

A small object that stops water leaving a sink or bathtub

retention basin
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A pond made by people that holds rainwater to prevent flooding and keep the water clean

catchment basin
  • Specialized
1 6.2

An area of land where all rain flows into a river, lake or reservoir

detention basin
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A built area that holds rainwater from storms briefly and releases it slowly to reduce flooding downstream

slop basin
  • Archaic
1 9.8

A bowl for emptying leftover tea or coffee at the table

An industrial area in eastern Ukraine and southwest Russia known for coal mining

A bowl fixed to a wall or on a stand where people clean their hands and face

How Big

bathtub
  • US
164 1.0
sink
309 1.0
basin
  • UK
4 1.0
washbowl
1 2.4

Surface Forms

basin singular
basins plural

Etymology

The word basin comes from an Old French word bacin meaning 'bowl'. A bathroom basin is simply a fixed, built-in 'bowl' for washing your hands and face, which is why people also call a sink a basin.