washhouse

washhouse — noun

1. a separate building, often behind a main house, that is used for washing clothes

1.nounB2
Definition

a separate building, often behind a main house, that is used for washing clothes and other fabric items by hand or with machines

Example

The old farmhouse had a stone washhouse behind the kitchen.

position: usually behind or near a house

Liam hung the sheets to dry outside the washhouse.

Common collocations
  • stone washhouse
  • outdoor washhouse
  • old washhouse
  • converted washhouse
  • washhouse behind the house
Synonyms
  • laundry room

    a room inside a house, not a separate building

  • utility room

    chiefly British; a room for laundry and household equipment inside the home

  • laundromat

    a public place with coin-operated machines, not a private building

Usage Note

Less commonly used in modern urban settings; more typical in descriptions of older houses, farms, or historical contexts.

Common Mistakes

I put the clothes in the washhouse in my apartment.
I put the clothes in the laundry room in my apartment.
'washhouse' refers to a separate building, not a room inside a house.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Washhouse, laundry room, utility room, and laundromat all refer to a place where washing is done, but they differ in location and scope. Washhouse specifically means a separate building, often found on older farms or estates. Laundry room is the most common modern term for a room inside a home, usually with a washer and dryer. Utility room (chiefly British English) is similar but also serves storage and household equipment. Laundromat (American English) or launderette (British) refers to a public facility with coin-operated machines. For example: 'The manor still has a stone washhouse from the 1800s.' versus 'We keep the detergent in the utility room off the kitchen.'

laundry roomutility roomlaundromat ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • washhouse behind the house
  • convert the washhouse into

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Combines 'wash' (from Old English 'wascan', meaning to cleanse with water) and 'house' (from Old English 'hūs', meaning a building). The word has been used since the 1400s for any building set aside for washing clothes.