wainscot

1 of 3

noun (1)

wain·​scot ˈwān-skət 

-ˌskōt, 

-ˌskät 

1

British : a fine grade of oak imported for woodwork

2

a(1)

: a usually paneled wooden lining of an interior wall

(2)

: a lining of an interior wall irrespective of material

b

: the lower three or four feet (about one meter) of an interior wall when finished differently from the remainder of the wall

wainscot

2 of 3

verb

wainscoted or wainscotted; wainscoting or wainscotting

transitive verb

: to line with or as if with boards or paneling

wainscoting

3 of 3

noun (2)

wain·​scot·​ing ˈwān-ˌskō-tiŋ  -ˌskä- 

-skə-

variants or wainscotting

1

: wainscot sense 2

2

: material used to wainscot a surface

Examples of wainscot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Instructions Create the Walls On the short edge of one of the wainscot panels, mark 20 inches. —Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2026

Megan also preserved most of the wood flooring as well as the abundant cypress wainscot panels and millwork, hiring local craftspeople to refurbish them. —Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026

Verb

Like a modern version of wainscoting, blue-gray paint covers the lower half of the hallway walls and doors, lining up with the base of the wall-mount bookshelves. —Kit Selzer, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2020

White wainscoting panels carry throughout the guest area. —Mary Wakeford, azcentral, 9 Jan. 2020

Noun

Throughout the space, hardwood floors, extensive millwork, elegant wainscoting and natural light enhance the living space. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026

Simply measure and cut out pieces from four panels of 2x4-foot beaded-board wainscoting (or cardboard) using a ruler, box cutter, and dinner plate as a template. —Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Middle Dutch wagenschot, probably from wagen wagon + schot shot, crossbar

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1570, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

wainscot

noun

wain·​scot

ˈwān-skət, 

-ˌskōt, 

-ˌskät

1

: a usually paneled wooden lining of the wall of a room

2

: the lower three or four feet (about one meter) of an interior wall when finished differently from the rest