Toilet vs. Urinal — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 6, 2024
Toilet is designed for both urination and defecation, accommodating a seated or squatting posture; urinals are primarily for urination, supporting only a standing position.
Difference Between Toilet and Urinal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A toilet is a versatile bathroom fixture meant for both urination and defecation, providing options for sitting or squatting. Whereas, a urinal is specifically designed for urination, typically used in a standing position.
Toilets are found in both public and private bathrooms, offering full privacy, typically enclosed by a stall or a door. On the other hand, urinals are generally used in public men's restrooms and are often several aligned in open spaces without partitions.
Toilets require more space and water for flushing, which is crucial for hygiene and odor control. Conversely, urinals are more space-efficient and use less water per flush, which makes them environmentally friendly in high-use settings like public restrooms.
Toilets come in various designs including wall-mounted or floor-standing models, catering to diverse user needs and bathroom layouts. Urinals, while less varied, also come in different designs like wall-hung and trough types, each serving different capacities and spaces.
Toilets provide a solution for all users including children, the elderly, and those with disabilities due to their accessibility and ease of use. Urinals, though less accessible for some populations, offer quick and efficient use in settings where rapid turnover is necessary.
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Comparison Chart
Usage
Urination and defecation
Primarily urination
Posture
Seated or squatting
Standing
Location
Private and public restrooms
Primarily public restrooms
Space and Water Usage
Higher space and water use
Less space and water use
Design Variability
High (various models)
Lower (fewer models)
Compare with Definitions
Toilet
A room or enclosure containing this fixture; a bathroom or lavatory.
She excused herself to go to the toilet.
Urinal
A figurative use implying an unpleasant or degraded place.
He referred to the dilapidated alley as the city’s urinal.
Toilet
Historical: A dressing table.
She sat at the toilet to comb her hair in the 18th-century painting.
Urinal
A portable device used in healthcare settings for bedridden patients.
The nurse provided a urinal to the patient who could not walk to the bathroom.
Toilet
A fixture for defecation and urination, typically equipped with a flushing system.
The new toilet has a dual flush feature to conserve water.
Urinal
A trough-style urinal, common in public restrooms and bars.
The stadium’s restrooms are equipped with long, trough-style urinals.
Toilet
The act of dressing or grooming oneself.
Morning toilet involved extensive hair and makeup rituals in the Victorian era.
Urinal
A historical public urinal, often found in European cities.
Parisian streets once featured ornate, public urinals as common conveniences.
Toilet
A portable toilet, often used at outdoor events.
Portable toilets were set up for the concert in the park.
Urinal
A plumbing fixture for urination only, typically found in men's restrooms.
The airport installed new, waterless urinals in all men's restrooms.
Toilet
A toilet is a piece of sanitary hardware that collects human urine and feces, and sometimes toilet paper, usually for disposal. Flush toilets use water, while dry or non-flush toilets do not.
Urinal
A urinal (US: , UK: ) is a sanitary plumbing fixture for urination only. Urinals are often provided in public toilets for male users in Western countries (less so in Muslim countries).
Toilet
A fixed receptacle into which a person may urinate or defecate, typically consisting of a large bowl connected to a system for flushing away the waste into a sewer
Liz heard the toilet flush
A toilet seat
He got up to go to the toilet
Urinal
A fixture, typically one attached upright to a wall, used by men for urinating.
Toilet
The process of washing oneself, dressing, and attending to one's appearance
Her toilet completed, she finally went back downstairs
Urinal
A room or other place containing facilities for urinating.
Toilet
Assist or supervise (someone, especially an infant or invalid) in using a toilet.
Urinal
A portable receptacle for urine.
Toilet
An apparatus for defecation and urination, usually consisting of a bowl fitted with a hinged seat and connected to a waste pipe and a flushing apparatus.
Urinal
A device or fixture used for urination, particularly:
Toilet
A room or booth containing such an apparatus.
Urinal
A glass vial used for examining or storing urine.
Toilet
The act or process of dressing or grooming oneself.
Urinal
A chamber pot specially designed or considered as a device for urination.
Toilet
Dress; attire; costume.
Urinal
A device for urination worn by patients suffering incontinence.
Toilet
The cleansing of a body area as part of a surgical or medical procedure.
Urinal
A plumbing fixture intended for standing urination, typically by men and boys.
Toilet
(Archaic) A dressing table.
Urinal
Any oblong glass vessel shaped like the old alchemist's urinal.
Toilet
A room or enclosed area containing a fixture used for urination and defecation (i.e. a toilet (sense 2)): a bathroom or water closet.
Sorry, I was in the toilet.
Urinal
A room or structure used for urination: a latrine; an outhouse; a lavatory.
Toilet
A fixture used for urination and defecation, particularly one with a large bowl and ring-shaped seat which uses water to flush the waste material into a septic tank or sewer system.
My toilet backed up. Now the bathroom's flooded.
Urinal
Synonym of urinary
Toilet
(figuratively) A very shabby or dirty place.
Urinal
A vessel for holding urine; especially, a bottle or tube for holding urine for inspection.
Toilet
(NZ) A small secondary lavatory having a fixture used for urination and defecation (i.e. a toilet (sense 2)) and sink but no bathtub or shower.toilet
Urinal
A place or convenience for urinating purposes.
Toilet
(obsolete) A covering of linen, silk, or tapestry, spread over a dressing table in a chamber or dressing room.
Urinal
A plumbing fixture (usually attached to the wall) used by men to urinate
Toilet
(obsolete) The table covered by such a cloth; a dressing table.
Toilet
Personal grooming; the process of washing, dressing and arranging the hair.
Toilet
One's style of dressing: dress, outfit.
Toilet
(archaic) A dressing room.
Toilet
(obsolete) A chamber pot.
Toilet
(dated) To dress and groom oneself.
Toilet
To use the toilet.
Toilet
To assist another (a child, etc.) in using the toilet.
Toilet
A covering of linen, silk, or tapestry, spread over a table in a chamber or a dressing room.
Toilet
A dressing table.
Toilet
Act or mode of dressing, or that which is arranged in dressing; attire; dress; as, her toilet is perfect.
Toilet
A room equipped with toilet facilities
Toilet
A plumbing fixture for defecation and urination
Toilet
Misfortune resulting in lost effort or money;
His career was in the gutter
All that work went down the sewer
Pensions are in the toilet
Toilet
The act of dressing and preparing yourself;
He made his morning toilet and went to breakfast
Common Curiosities
What is the primary function of a toilet?
A toilet is used for both urination and defecation.
Do urinals provide privacy?
Generally, urinals offer less privacy compared to individual toilet stalls.
Are toilets available in both men's and women's restrooms?
Yes, toilets are universal and found in all types of restrooms.
Can urinals be used for defecation?
No, urinals are designed only for urination.
What types of urinals exist?
There are wall-hung, trough, and pedestal urinals, among others.
Are toilets suitable for all users?
Yes, toilets are designed to accommodate users of all ages and abilities.
What are the cleanliness considerations for toilets and urinals?
Both need regular cleaning to maintain hygiene, with toilets requiring more comprehensive cleaning due to their usage.
What is a bidet toilet?
A bidet toilet includes features for washing after toilet use, enhancing personal hygiene.
What is the benefit of using a urinal over a toilet?
Urinals use less water per flush and save space, making them ideal for public restrooms.
How does the use of a urinal impact water conservation?
Urinals typically use less water than toilets, contributing to water conservation.
Are there different types of toilets?
Yes, toilets come in various forms such as squat, wall-mounted, and floor-standing.
Is a urinal suitable for home use?
While not common, some homes may install urinals for convenience.
Why might public places prefer urinals?
Urinals can handle high traffic better and are quicker to use.
Can children use urinals?
Yes, specially designed child-height urinals are available.
What are portable urinals used for?
Portable urinals are used in healthcare settings or where access to traditional restrooms is limited.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
