Sink vs. Washbasin: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 3, 2023
A "sink" is a plumbing fixture used for washing hands, dishes, and other purposes, while a "washbasin" is specifically designed for washing hands and face. Both have taps and drains but differ in usage and location.
Key Differences
A "sink" is a broad term for a basin with a faucet and a drain, generally used for multiple purposes such as washing hands, rinsing dishes, or even washing clothes in some cases. A "washbasin," however, is more specialized and is typically designed for washing hands and face.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
From a grammatical perspective, both "sink" and "washbasin" function as nouns. However, "sink" can also serve as a verb, meaning to descend or to cause to enter a liquid. In contrast, "washbasin" remains solely a noun and has no verb form.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
While sinks can be found in various settings like kitchens, utility rooms, and workshops, washbasins are commonly found in bathrooms. The design of a sink can be more complex, often featuring additional accessories like a garbage disposal unit, whereas a washbasin is generally simpler in construction.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Sinks often come in a variety of materials like stainless steel, ceramic, and composite materials. Washbasins are typically made of porcelain or ceramic but can also be made of other materials like stone.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023
In summary, although both "sink" and "washbasin" refer to a bowl-like fixture with a tap and a drain, the key difference lies in their usage and location. Sinks serve multiple functions and are found in a variety of settings, while washbasins are specialized for washing hands and face and are primarily located in bathrooms.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Function
Multiple uses, including washing dishes
Specifically for washing hands and face
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Complexity
Can have added features like garbage disposal
Generally simpler in design
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Material
Stainless steel, ceramic, composite materials
Typically porcelain or ceramic, sometimes stone
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
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Sink and Washbasin Definitions
Sink
A fixture for various washing activities.
The utility sink is for laundry.
Sara Rehman
Sep 19, 2023
Washbasin
A vessel with a tap in a restroom.
Turn off the tap when you're done using the washbasin.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Sink
To go below the surface of water or another liquid
We watched the leaky inner tube slowly sink.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Washbasin
A sink primarily for personal hygiene.
The washbasin is made of porcelain.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023
Sink
To descend to the bottom of a body of water or other liquid
Found the wreck where it had sunk.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
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Washbasin
A basin for washing hands and face.
There is a washbasin in the restroom.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Sink
To fall or drop to a lower level, especially to go down slowly or in stages
The water in the lake sank several feet during the long, dry summer.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Washbasin
A bathroom fixture with a faucet.
The washbasin has an elegant design.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023
Washbasin
A basin used for washing, particularly a permanently installed sink, fitted with a water supply and a drain, for washing the hands and face.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To fall or lower oneself slowly, as from weakness or fatigue
The exhausted runner sank to the ground.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Washbasin
A bathroom or lavatory sink that is permanently installed and connected to a water supply and drainpipe; where you wash your hands and face;
He ran some water in the basin and splashed it on his face
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To feel great disappointment or discouragement
Her heart sank within her.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Washbasin
A basin for washing the hands (`wash-hand basin' is a British expression)
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To pass into something; penetrate
The claws sank into the flesh of the prey.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To deteriorate in quality or condition
The patient is sinking fast. The family sank into a state of disgrace.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To make an impression; become felt or understood
The meaning finally sank in.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To cause to descend beneath the surface or to the bottom of a liquid
Sink a ship.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To cause to be engrossed
"Frank sank himself in another book" (Patricia Highsmith).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To make weaker, quieter, or less forceful
She sank her voice when the manager walked by.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To reduce in quantity or worth
The bad news will sink markets around the world.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To debase the nature of; degrade
The scandal has sunk him in the eyes of many.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To bring to a low or ruined state; defeat or destroy
Loss of advertising sank the newspaper.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To invest or spend, often without getting a return or adequate value
I've sunk a lot of money into that car.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
A water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe and generally a piped supply of water.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
A natural or artificial means of absorbing or removing a substance or a form of energy from a system.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
A place regarded as wicked and corrupt
That city is a sink of corruption.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
(ergative) To descend or submerge (or to cause to do so) into a liquid or similar substance.
A stone sinks in water.
The sun gradually sank in the west.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
(transitive) To (directly or indirectly) cause a vessel to sink, generally by making it no longer watertight.
An iceberg sank the Titanic.
British battleships sank the Bismarck.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
(transitive) To push (something) into something.
The joint will hold tighter if you sink a wood screw through both boards.
The dog sank its teeth into the delivery man's leg.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To experience apprehension, disappointment, dread, or momentary depression.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
(intransitive) To demean or lower oneself; to do something below one's status, standards, or morals.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
(intransitive) To decrease in volume, as a river; to subside; to become diminished in volume or in apparent height.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
(ecology) A habitat that cannot support a population on its own but receives the excess of individuals from some other source.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
(uncountable) Descending motion; descent.
An excessive sink rate at touchdown can cause the aircraft's landing gear to collapse.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
(baseball) The motion of a sinker pitch.
Jones has a two-seamer with heavy sink.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
(game development) One or several systems that remove currency from the game's economy, thus controlling or preventing inflation.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To fall by, or as by, the force of gravity; to descend lower and lower; to decline gradually; to subside; as, a stone sinks in water; waves rise and sink; the sun sinks in the west.
I sink in deep mire.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To enter deeply; to fall or retire beneath or below the surface; to penetrate.
The stone sunk into his forehead.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
Hence, to enter so as to make an abiding impression; to enter completely.
Let these sayings sink down into your ears.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To be overwhelmed or depressed; to fall slowly, as so the ground, from weakness or from an overburden; to fail in strength; to decline; to decay; to decrease.
I think our country sinks beneath the yoke.
He sunk down in his chariot.
Let not the fire sink or slacken.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To decrease in volume, as a river; to subside; to become diminished in volume or in apparent height.
The Alps and Pyreneans sink before him.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To cause to sink; to put under water; to immerse or submerge in a fluid; as, to sink a ship.
[The Athenians] fell upon the wings and sank a single ship.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
Figuratively: To cause to decline; to depress; to degrade; hence, to ruin irretrievably; to destroy, as by drowping; as, to sink one's reputation.
I raise of sink, imprison or set free.
If I have a conscience, let it sink me.
Thy cruel and unnatural lust of powerHas sunk thy father more than all his years.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To make (a depression) by digging, delving, or cutting, etc.; as, to sink a pit or a well; to sink a die.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To bring low; to reduce in quantity; to waste.
You sunk the river repeated draughts.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To conseal and appropriate.
If sent with ready money to buy anything, and you happen to be out of pocket, sink the money, and take up the goods on account.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
To keep out of sight; to suppress; to ignore.
A courtly willingness to sink obnoxious truths.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
A shallow box or vessel of wood, stone, iron, or other material, connected with a drain, and used for receiving filthy water, etc., as in a kitchen.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
A hole or low place in land or rock, where waters sink and are lost; - called also sink hole.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
The lowest part of a natural hollow or closed basin whence the water of one or more streams escapes by evaporation; as, the sink of the Humboldt River.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
Plumbing fixture consisting of a water basin fixed to a wall or floor and having a drainpipe
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
(technology) a process that acts to absorb or remove energy or a substance from a system;
The ocean is a sink for carbon dioxide
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
A depression in the ground communicating with a subterranean passage (especially in limestone) and formed by solution or by collapse of a cavern roof
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
Descend into or as if into some soft substance or place;
He sank into bed
She subsided into the chair
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
Appear to move downward;
The sun dipped below the horizon
The setting sun sank below the tree line
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
Fall heavily or suddenly; decline markedly;
The real estate market fell off
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
Embed deeply;
She sank her fingers into the soft sand
He buried his head in her lap
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 26, 2023
Sink
A basin with a drain and faucet.
The sink in the workshop is made of stainless steel.
Sara Rehman
Sep 19, 2023
FAQs
Can "sink" function as a verb?
Yes, "sink" can also be a verb meaning to descend or submerge.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
What is a "washbasin"?
A "washbasin" is a basin with a faucet and drain, primarily used for washing hands and face.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
What is a "sink"?
A "sink" is a plumbing fixture with a basin, faucet, and drain used for various washing activities.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Where are sinks typically found?
Sinks are commonly found in kitchens, utility rooms, and workshops.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
Where are washbasins typically found?
Washbasins are generally found in bathrooms.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023
Can sinks have added features?
Yes, some sinks come with added features like garbage disposals.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
Are washbasins complex in design?
Generally, washbasins are simpler in design compared to sinks.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
What materials are washbasins commonly made of?
Washbasins are usually made of porcelain or ceramic.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
What materials are sinks commonly made of?
Sinks can be made of stainless steel, ceramic, and composite materials.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Are sinks only for washing hands?
No, sinks can be used for various activities including washing dishes and laundry.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Are washbasins used for dishes?
No, washbasins are not designed for washing dishes.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023
Do all washbasins have drains?
Yes, washbasins come with drains to allow water to flow out.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023
Do all sinks have faucets?
Almost all sinks come with faucets, but some may require separate installation.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023
Can "sink" and "washbasin" be used interchangeably?
They can sometimes be used interchangeably, but "sink" is more general and "washbasin" is more specialized.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
