floor

1 of 2

noun

ˈflȯr 

plural floors

often attributive

1

: the level base of a room

2

a

: the lower inside surface of a hollow structure (such as a cave or bodily part)

b

: a ground surface

the ocean floor

3

a

: a structure dividing a building into stories

also : story

b

: the occupants of such a floor

4

: the surface of a structure on which one travels

the floor of a bridge

5

a

: a main level space (as in a stock exchange or legislative chamber) distinguished from a platform or gallery

b

: the specially prepared or marked area on which indoor sports events take place

c

: the members of an assembly

took questions from the floor

d

: the right to address an assembly

the senator from Utah has the floor

6

: a lower limit : base

see also take the floor

floor

2 of 2

verb

floored; flooring; floors

transitive verb

1

: to cover with a floor or flooring

2

a

: to knock or bring down

b

: flabbergast, dumbfound

3

: to press (the accelerator of a vehicle) to the floorboard

also : to accelerate rapidly

floored the van

floorer noun

Phrases

from the floor

: in field goals as opposed to free throws

made 16 of 18 shots from the floor

Synonyms

Noun

• bed
• bottom

Verb

• appall
• appal
• jolt
• shake up
• shock

Examples of floor in a Sentence

Noun

Keep your feet on the floor.

the floor of a car

She lives on the second floor of a five-story building.

His office is located on the fourth floor.

Verb

He floored me with his first punch.

The news just floored me.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The desk is shown then with pieces broken off and items strewed about the floor. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

The top floor marks a deliberate departure from the house’s predominantly Deco aesthetic. —Catherine Hong, Architectural Digest, 10 Dec. 2024

Verb

Even so, this book—based on Osborne’s Filipino American upbringing in the Southern US—floored me. —The Bon Appétit and Epicurious Staffs, Bon Appétit, 10 Dec. 2024

The foam, rubber and textile granules are then sold to manufacturers to be made back into items such as shoe parts, yoga mats, or flooring for playgrounds and outdoor sports centers. —Aj Willingham, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English flor, from Old English flōr; akin to Old High German fluor meadow, Latin planus level, and perhaps to Greek planasthai to wander

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing floor

• dance floor
• dirt floor
• first floor
• floor exercise
• floor lamp
• floor leader
• floor-length
• floor manager
• floor plan
• floor show
• floor-through
• forest floor
• get in on the ground floor
• ground floor
• have the floor
• hold the floor
• in on the ground floor
• on the cutting-room floor
• on the factory floor
• sea floor
• second floor
• shop floor
• take the floor
• the factory floor
• through the floor
• wipe the floor with

Kids Definition

floor

1 of 2 noun

ˈflō(ə)r 

ˈflȯ(ə)r

1

: the part of a room on which one stands

2

a

: the lower inside surface of a hollow structure

the floor of a car

b

: a ground surface

the ocean floor

3

: a story of a building

lives on the second floor

floor

2 of 2 verb

1

: to cover with a floor or flooring

2

a

: to knock to the floor

b

: shock entry 3 sense 1, overwhelm

Medical Definition

floor

noun

ˈflō(ə)r, ˈflȯ(ə)r 

: the lower inside surface of a hollow anatomical structure

the floor of the pelvis

Legal Definition

floor

noun

1

a

: a main level space (as in a stock exchange or legislative chamber) distinguished from a platform or gallery

b

: members of an assembly

took questions from the floor

c

: the right to address an assembly

the senator from Utah has the floor

2

: a lower limit

a five percent floor on deductions for medical expenses