linen

1 of 2

adjective

lin·​en ˈli-nən 

1

: made of flax

2

: made of or resembling linen

linen

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: cloth made of flax and noted for its strength, coolness, and luster

b

: thread or yarn spun from flax

2

: clothing or household articles made of linen cloth or similar fabric

3

: paper made from linen fibers or with a linen finish

Examples of linen in a Sentence

Noun

She washes the linen every week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Canvas Club’s luxury glamping offering is an elevated version, with its five bedroom tents dressed with beds, woven mats, lanterns and luxury linens. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

The candles can be bought in 8-ounce or 16-ounce jars, and many scents also are found in stores and online in wax melts, hand and body lotions, and linen sprays. —The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2024

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, the secretary-general of the supreme council of antiquities in Egypt, told ABC News that most of the wooden coffins and linen wraps that would have been customary for these kinds of burials were destroyed by ancient floods. —Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Body lice more often spread through contact with clothing and linens containing lice. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English līnen, from līn flax, from Latin linum flax; akin to Greek linon flax, thread

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing linen

• bed linen(s)
• table linen

Kids Definition

linen

noun

lin·​en

ˈlin-ən

1

: smooth strong cloth or yarn made from flax

2

: household articles (as tablecloths or sheets) or clothing (as shirts or underwear) that were once often made of linen

linen adjective