linoleum

[ li-noh-lee-uhm ]

noun

1. a hard, washable floor covering formed by coating burlap or canvas with linseed oil, powdered cork, and rosin, and adding pigments to create the desired colors and patterns.
2. any floor covering similar to this.

linoleum

/ lɪˈnəʊlɪəm /

noun

1. a sheet material made of hessian, jute, etc, coated under pressure and heat with a mixture of powdered cork, linseed oil, rosin, and pigment, used as a floor covering Often shortened tolino

Word History and Origins

Origin of linoleum¹

1863; < Latin līn ( um ) flax, linen + oleum oil; formerly trademark

Word History and Origins

Origin of linoleum¹

C19: from Latin līnum flax + oleum oil

Example Sentences

The other dancers, aged 11 to 16, sit cross-legged on the linoleum floor talking about social media.

From Seattle Times

They were “dull, simple, amazing and unfathomable — deep caves paved with kitchen linoleum.”

From Los Angeles Times

I could see inside to the dirty linoleum and yellowed walls.

From Los Angeles Times

I looked at the pig’s face, then at the people ambling around the dingy, linoleum floors, and immediately felt love.

From Salon

When she arrived, Goodwin found her son gasping for breath on the linoleum of his kitchen floor.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• carpet
• carpeting
• tile
• woodwork