spittoon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowHistorical; somewhat formal description of an antiquated object.
Quick answer
What does “spittoon” mean?
A container for spitting saliva or chewing tobacco into.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A container for spitting saliva or chewing tobacco into.
A receptacle, often made of brass or porcelain, historically placed in public places, saloons, or by bedsides for sanitary spitting. It has strong historical and cultural associations with the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The object is more strongly associated with the historical culture of the American Old West. In British English, it might be referenced more in the context of Victorian-era train carriages or certain industrial settings, but the American association is dominant.
Connotations
American: Conjures images of saloons, cowboys, and chewing tobacco. British: Conjures images of Victorian pubs, gentlemen's clubs, or industrial 'spit and sawdust' pubs.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use in both dialects. Slightly more likely to be encountered in American English due to its prevalence in Western films and literature.
Grammar
How to Use “spittoon” in a Sentence
spit into/at a spittoonplace/position a spittoonthe spittoon (was) by/near the doorVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or public health studies discussing 19th/early 20th-century habits and sanitation.
Everyday
Virtually never used unless describing an antique or a historical film scene.
Technical
May appear in museum catalogs, antique auction descriptions, or restoration contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spittoon”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spittoon”
- Misspelling as 'spitoon' (though this informal variant exists).
- Using it to describe a modern waste bin or ashtray.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an antiquated term. The object itself is rarely seen outside of museums, historical re-enactments, or antique shops.
They are synonyms. 'Cuspidor' is a more technical or formal term, derived from Portuguese/Latin, while 'spittoon' is the more common English word.
No, 'spittoon' is solely a noun. The related verb is 'to spit'.
They became obsolete due to improved public health awareness (understanding disease transmission via saliva), declining popularity of chewing tobacco, and changing social norms that made public spitting unacceptable.
A container for spitting saliva or chewing tobacco into.
Spittoon is usually historical; somewhat formal description of an antiquated object. in register.
Spittoon: in British English it is pronounced /spɪˈtuːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /spɪˈtuːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of splitting 'spit' and 'tune'. Imagine someone trying to SPIT in tune with music into a TOON (cartoon) container.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (The word is a highly specific, literal object with no common metaphorical extensions.)
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'spittoon' primarily associated with?