linoleum

noun

li·​no·​leum lə-ˈnō-lē-əm 

-ˈnōl-yəm

often attributive

1

: a floor covering made by laying on a burlap or canvas backing a mixture of solidified linseed oil with gums, cork dust or wood flour or both, and usually pigments

2

: a material similar to linoleum

Examples of linoleum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, in a small hospital where soft sobs echoed off the sterile linoleum floors, Aaron Easton, the boy Sara married who grew up to be Marysville’s police chief, explained what happened: Sara had shot herself in the head. —Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 26 Jan. 2025

Unlike laminate, vinyl, linoleum, textile, stone, or carpeted flooring, hardwood floors require a special version of deep cleaning. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025

While researching her book, Randles talked to families who ran out of diapers and had to stay home and keep their child on a linoleum floor or set them on the toilet every 20 minutes. —Michael Cuglietta, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025

If your building tends to be more humid inside, then options like sustainable linoleum flooring may prove better in the long run. —Rotem Eylor, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin linum flax + oleum oil — more at oil

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

linoleum

noun

li·​no·​leum lə-ˈnō-lē-əm 

-ˈnōl-yəm

: a floor covering with a canvas back and a surface of hardened linseed oil and usually cork dust