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

The same method as cleaning linoleum works for buffing scratches or scuffs out of patent leather, soft white leather, sneaker midsoles, or vinyl. —Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026

The last test involved presenting the horses with a novel object—a sculpture of sorts, made of linoleum, plastic and string. —Marta Hill, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2026

Evidently, the abundance of Royal Stewart and tartan linoleum in the servants’ quarters was too much for the then-secretary of state. —Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025

Remove Scuffs and Scratches from Linoleum Scuffs or scratches on linoleum floors can be removed with toothpaste. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2025

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