laundromat

English

Etymology

Blend of laundry +‎ automatic. From Laundromat, (former) trademark (1940s) of Westinghouse Electric Corporation for its washing machines, coined by Westinghouse publicist George Edward Pendray.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈlɔːndɹəʊˌmæt/, /ˈlɔːndɹəmæt/
Audio (Southern England) (file)

Noun

laundromat (plural laundromats)

(US, Canada, Australia) A self-service laundry facility with (traditionally) coin-operated (which now may use other per-load payment methods) washing machines, dryers, and sometimes ironing or pressing machines, open to the public for washing clothing and household cloth items.

Synonyms

(self-service laundry facility): launderette, laundrette, washeteria, washery, washette, coin laundry

Hypernyms

(self-service laundry facility): laundry

Derived terms

laundromatting

Related terms

automat
automatic
laundry

Translations

self-service laundry facility — see launderette