launderette

American

[lawn-duh-ret, lahn‑, lawn-duh-ret, lahn‑] / ˌlɔn dəˈrɛt, ˌlɑn‑, ˈlɔn dəˌrɛt, ˈlɑn‑ /

Also laundrette

noun

a self-service laundry having coin-operated washers, driers, etc.

Launderette British

/ lɔːnˈdrɛt, ˌlɔːndəˈrɛt /

noun

Also called (US, Canadian, and NZ): Laundromat. a commercial establishment where clothes can be washed and dried, using coin-operated machines

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of launderette

First recorded in 1945–50; formerly a trademark

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Our aim is to keep charges significantly below nearby high street launderettes, and that's why pricing will vary across the country."

From BBC

"My kids were getting late to school every day and didn't always have clean uniforms to wear - I had to take two buses to use the launderette. It was very difficult," she added.

From BBC

At the time, P&O said a "wide range of approved protocols" had been put in place, including closing on-board launderettes and preventing passengers from serving themselves at the buffet.

From BBC

A launderette owner was so moved she is now offering to do washing for free.

From BBC

The only thing they believe they are missing is a washing machine and, while the nearby launderette works for now, they are looking at options.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023