What is "squat toilet"

n. A toilet, usually consisting of a hole in the ground and sometimes a tank, which is used while squat instead of sit.

A squat toilet (also known as a squatting toilet, Indian toilet, or Turkish toilet) is a toilet used by squatting, rather than sitting. There are several types of squat toilets, but they all consist essentially of toilet pan or bowl at floor level. Such a toilet pan is also called a "squatting pan". The only exception is a "pedestal" squat toilet, which is of the same height as a sitting toilet. It is in theory also possible to squat over sitting toilets, but this requires extra care to prevent accidents as they are not designed for squatting.

A squat toilet may use a water seal and therefore be a flush toilet, or it can be without a water seal and therefore be a dry toilet. The term "squat" only refers to the expected defecation posture and not any other aspects of toilet technology, such as whether it is water flushed or not.