terrazzo

American  

[tuh-raz-oh, -rah-zoh, -rah-tsoh, ter-raht-tsaw] / təˈræz oʊ, -ˈrɑ zoʊ, -ˈrɑ tsoʊ, tɛrˈrɑt tsɔ /

noun

1. a mosaic flooring or paving composed of chips of broken stone, usually marble, and cement, polished when in place.

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terrazzo British  

/ tɛˈrætsəʊ /

noun

1. a floor or wall finish made by setting marble or other stone chips into a layer of mortar and polishing the surface

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Etymology

Origin of terrazzo

1895–1900; < Italian: balcony, terraced or flat roof < Vulgar Latin *terrāceus, derivative of Latin terra ground

Example Sentences

“Enter through a private courtyard into high ceilings infused with natural light, walls of glass and polished terrazzo floors,” the description continues.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026

It rises in five mighty flights, tier upon tier, of precast concrete faced with terrazzo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

Brettler removed the shag carpeting in the living area and bedroom and poured terrazzo floors to match the original floors throughout the house, many of which had to be repaired.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2025

Everywhere you turn, there are thoughtful touches, curated art and the familiar Lisbon pastel and terrazzo colorways.

From Salon • Oct. 23, 2024

Depending on where they are, they eat sitting on red clay or cement or terrazzo floors, or at marble-topped tables too cold to rest their elbows on.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri