Urinal vs. Pissoir — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 15, 2024
A urinal is a plumbing fixture designed for urination, commonly found in men's restrooms, while a pissoir is a public urinal located outdoors, typically found in European cities.
Difference Between Urinal and Pissoir
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Urinals are indoor plumbing fixtures found in men's restrooms, designed to allow men to urinate in a standing position. They are commonly installed in public restrooms, schools, workplaces, and other establishments, providing convenience and efficiency. Pissoirs, on the other hand, are outdoor urinals often seen in public areas, especially in European cities. They serve a similar purpose but are meant for public use, offering a facility for men to relieve themselves without needing to enter a building.
Urinals are typically found in rows within restroom facilities, with partitions for privacy in modern installations. They can be either wall-mounted or floor-mounted and are connected to the building's plumbing system. Pissoirs, however, are standalone structures usually placed in open areas like streets or parks. They are designed to provide privacy while being easily accessible to the public, helping to maintain cleanliness in urban environments.
While urinals are a common sight in men's restrooms in many countries, pissoirs are more specific to European cultures, where public urination facilities have been historically provided to address sanitation issues. The design of pissoirs often includes shielding to ensure modesty while using the facility in public spaces. In contrast, urinals inside buildings benefit from the overall privacy of the restroom.
Urinals require regular cleaning and maintenance as part of the restroom's upkeep, with plumbing systems that manage waste and water flow. Pissoirs also need maintenance but are designed to be more robust and withstand outdoor conditions. Their presence helps reduce the occurrence of public urination in undesignated areas, promoting hygiene and public health.
The introduction of pissoirs in urban planning reflects a practical approach to managing public sanitation needs, whereas urinals are a staple in indoor restroom facilities. Both serve the fundamental purpose of providing a place for men to urinate but are suited to different environments and cultural practices.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Location
Indoor restrooms
Outdoor public spaces
Common in
Many countries
European cities
Installation
Wall-mounted or floor-mounted
Standalone structures
Privacy
Partitions or enclosed spaces
Shielding for modesty
Maintenance
Regular restroom cleaning
Robust for outdoor conditions
Compare with Definitions
Urinal
Found in men's restrooms.
He used the urinal before heading back to his desk.
Pissoir
Outdoor public urinal.
The city installed pissoirs in busy downtown areas.
Urinal
Allows for standing urination.
The urinal is designed for quick and convenient use.
Pissoir
Standalone structure.
The pissoir offered a discreet place for men to relieve themselves.
Urinal
Part of indoor restroom facilities.
The restaurant upgraded its restrooms with new urinals.
Pissoir
Provides public urination facility.
Using a pissoir helps keep the streets cleaner.
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).
Pissoir
Designed for outdoor use.
The durable pissoir can withstand weather conditions.
Urinal
A fixture, typically one attached upright to a wall, used by men for urinating.
Pissoir
Common in European cities.
Tourists were surprised to see pissoirs on the streets of Paris.
Urinal
A room or other place containing facilities for urinating.
Pissoir
A pissoir (also known in French as a vespasienne) is a French invention, common in Europe, that provides a urinal in public space with a lightweight structure. The availability of pissoirs aims to reduce urination onto buildings, sidewalks, or streets.
Urinal
A portable receptacle for urine.
Pissoir
A public urinal, especially one located on a street.
Urinal
A device or fixture used for urination, particularly:
Pissoir
A public urinal typically found in European, especially French, streets.
To tackle the problem of street urination, Parisian authorities introduced the pissoir
Urinal
A glass vial used for examining or storing urine.
Pissoir
A public urinal, in European countries.
Urinal
A chamber pot specially designed or considered as a device for urination.
Urinal
A device for urination worn by patients suffering incontinence.
Urinal
A plumbing fixture intended for standing urination, typically by men and boys.
Urinal
Any oblong glass vessel shaped like the old alchemist's urinal.
Urinal
A room or structure used for urination: a latrine; an outhouse; a lavatory.
Urinal
Synonym of urinary
Urinal
A vessel for holding urine; especially, a bottle or tube for holding urine for inspection.
Urinal
A place or convenience for urinating purposes.
Urinal
A plumbing fixture (usually attached to the wall) used by men to urinate
Urinal
Plumbing fixture for urination.
The office restrooms have several urinals along the wall.
Urinal
Often installed in rows.
The stadium has a long row of urinals to accommodate the crowd.
Common Curiosities
Do urinals have privacy partitions?
Many modern urinals have privacy partitions between them.
Where are urinals typically found?
Urinals are typically found in indoor restrooms in public and private buildings.
What is a urinal?
A urinal is a plumbing fixture used for urination in men's restrooms.
Where are pissoirs typically found?
Pissoirs are typically found in outdoor public spaces like streets and parks.
What is the main purpose of a pissoir?
The main purpose of a pissoir is to provide a public urination facility outdoors.
Can urinals be found in women's restrooms?
Urinals are generally found in men's restrooms, though some unisex designs exist.
What is a pissoir?
A pissoir is an outdoor public urinal commonly found in European cities.
Are urinals used worldwide?
Yes, urinals are used in many countries worldwide.
What is the main purpose of a urinal?
The main purpose of a urinal is to provide a place for men to urinate in restrooms.
How are pissoirs maintained?
Pissoirs are designed to be robust and are maintained by public sanitation services.
Why were pissoirs introduced?
Pissoirs were introduced to address public sanitation and reduce street urination.
Do pissoirs provide privacy?
Yes, pissoirs often have shielding to ensure user modesty.
How are urinals maintained?
Urinals are cleaned regularly as part of restroom maintenance.
Are pissoirs specific to Europe?
Pissoirs are more common in European cities but can be found elsewhere.
Do pissoirs require a plumbing system?
Yes, pissoirs are connected to a plumbing system for waste management.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Railcar vs. Locomotive
Next Comparison
Offshore vs. OverseasAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
