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. Often shortened to: lino. 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

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

So much so that covering the kitchen tile with blue and red checkerboard linoleum was one of their first dates in 2022, two years before Zaletel, 32, moved in.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A blue-hued linoleum floor made to look like an aquarium, replete with singing fish and turtles, brightens the dark-wooded downstairs space and echoes the nautical elements Kesling introduced into his Streamline Moderne homes.

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The flat had no floor coverings and she took out a loan to install linoleum throughout.

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on Seattle Times

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• carpet 
• carpeting 
• tile 
• woodwork