Etymology Borrowed from Finnish sauna. Doublet of stack.
1
A room or a house designed for heat sessions.
The hotel has a sauna in the basement.
Of course, it will never get -100 here like it does in Antarctica, but a 300-degree swing was still theoretically possible on a record-cold Minnesota morning–if we got the sauna hot enough.2019 February 8, Saunatimes Guest Posts, quoting Tyler, “Father and sons take a 280 degree f. sauna, documenting the only “300 Club” in North America”, in SaunaTimes, archived from the original on 29 Sep 2022:
1 more example
As health-conscious Americans have jumped headfirst into saunas, some Europeans have at times also found themselves a little baffled by their fellow steam lovers’ behavior, worried a millennia-old tradition is being warped by American wellness culture.2026 January 18, Kristy Alpert, “The Europeans Have Some Notes About American Sauna Culture”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 19 Jan 2026:
2
The act of using a sauna.
John had a sauna after his swim.
Joanne went for a sauna after her swim.
1 more example
One of my favorite saunas was just one go and thirteen minutes long, including clean up time.2019 February 8, Saunatimes Guest Posts, quoting Tony, “Father and sons take a 280 degree f. sauna, documenting the only “300 Club” in North America”, in SaunaTimes, archived from the original on 29 Sep 2022:
3
In some countries, a business with bath-like facilities that is actually a brothel or a place for (non-commercial) sexual encounters; a bathhouse or massage parlour.
McPhail ran Maitland's brothels—knocking-shops in Maryhill, Riddrie, Dennistoun, and the more upscale saunas in the West End and city centre.2022, Liam McIlvanney, The Heretic, page 250:
Etymology Borrowed from Finnish sauna. Doublet of stack.
1
To use a sauna.
“I find it disgusting,” she said. “It would be a total no-no to go to a sauna in Austria with your bathing suit, and an insult to wear workout clothes.” She now saunas at home.2026 January 18, Kristy Alpert, “The Europeans Have Some Notes About American Sauna Culture”, in The New York Times, →ISSN: