Meaning & use
sanitation towels
Last updated
Meanings
nounpluralformaleuphemistic
Pads of absorbent material worn to absorb menstrual blood; a formal or commercial term for sanitary pads.
Grammar: Always plural in this form: a pack of sanitation towels. For one item say 'a sanitation towel'.
Patterns
- a pack of sanitation towels
- use sanitation towels
- dispose of sanitation towels
The clinic handed out sanitation towels to women in the camp.
Please place used sanitation towels in the bin provided.
The aid shipment included soap and sanitation towels.
nounplural
Absorbent cloths or paper used for cleaning and keeping places hygienic.
Grammar: Plural noun; the singular 'sanitation towel' refers to one cloth.
Patterns
- wipe with sanitation towels
- sanitation towels for cleaning
Workers wiped the tables with sanitation towels.
The kitchen keeps a supply of sanitation towels near the sink.
Word forms
| singular | sanitation towel |
|---|
Common combinations
- a pack of sanitation towels
- She bought a pack of sanitation towels at the pharmacy.
- used sanitation towels
- Used sanitation towels should go in a closed bin.
- disposable sanitation towels
- The hotel uses disposable sanitation towels in each room.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sanitary pad
- Sanitary pad is the usual everyday term in most English-speaking countries; sanitation towels sounds more formal or commercial.
- sanitary napkin
- Sanitary napkin is common in American English and is more neutral than sanitation towels.
- menstrual pad
- Menstrual pad is the clearest medical-style term; it is more direct than the euphemistic sanitation towels.
Word family
- sanitary adjective
- Relating to health and cleanliness.
- sanitation noun
- Systems and practices for keeping places clean and healthy.
Commonly confused: sanitation towels or sanitary towels? sanitation towels or paper towels?
sanitation towels vs sanitary towels
'Sanitary towels' is the more common British term for the same product; 'sanitation towels' is less usual and can also mean cleaning cloths.
sanitation towels vs paper towels
Paper towels are for drying hands or wiping surfaces, not for menstrual use.
Practice
In a health leaflet, which phrase best refers to pads worn during menstruation?
Choose one answer.
Sanitation towels (like sanitary pads) can mean menstrual pads in formal or commercial writing, while paper, hand and beach towels are for drying or cleaning, not for menstrual use.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sanitation towels”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.