linoleum

noun

li·​no·​leum lə-ˈnō-lē-əm How to pronounce linoleum (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Add 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent to a gallon of water and mop tile, vinyl or linoleum floors as usual. Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026 Marlboros crushed into linoleum. Brenda Hillman, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 Use a damp mop to clean linoleum, tile, and hardwood flooring regularly. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026 Martinez recommends using this solution on ceramic tile, porcelain tile, or linoleum. Heather Bien, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for linoleum

Word History

Etymology

Latin linum flax + oleum oil — more at oil

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of linoleum was in 1878

Cite this Entry

“Linoleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linoleum. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

linoleum

noun
li·​no·​leum lə-ˈnō-lē-əm How to pronounce linoleum (audio)
-ˈnōl-yəm
: a floor covering with a canvas back and a surface of hardened linseed oil and usually cork dust

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