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

Black soot coated the hallway’s linoleum tiles, so thick Susan Lukas could see her footprints. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

The tub, toilet and sink are all white, shining more or less, and the room has faded bluish linoleum on the floor and tired, dirty-pink walls. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026

While much of the abode remains true to its original form, Injijian notably updated the two bathrooms, removing the linoleum in the baby-blue, main-floor bathroom and replacing it with penny travertine. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026

At Toyon, carpet was replaced with rugs and easy-to-clean linoleum floors. — Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin linum flax + oleum oil — more at oil

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for linoleum

• folium
• lolium
• oleum
• scholium
• petroleum
• trifolium
• tetrazolium

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