subway tile

American  

[suhb-wey tahyl] / ˈsʌbˌweɪ ˌtaɪl /

noun

1. a glazed ceramic tile, usually white and having a length twice its height, typically laid in a running bond pattern (often used attributively).

   The walls feature white subway tile with contrasting black grout, creating a striking modern look.

---

Etymology

Origin of subway tile

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The home features an open floor plan, meaning that the lounging area spills into the kitchen, which was outfitted with white cabinetry, an island eating bar, subway tile backsplash, and state-of-the-art appliances.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

The bathroom in the ADU features simple subway tile.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2023

What’s not gleaming white subway tile seems to be friendly green paint; half-curtains dress up the windows, and mirrors and copper molds hang on the walls.

From Washington Post • Apr. 21, 2023

When my husband and I installed a new backsplash in 2010, I chose white subway tile specifically to mimic Swanson's.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2023

It’s for a skid of porcelain subway tile, for over nineteen hundred dollars.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam