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.
At Toyon, carpet was replaced with rugs and easy-to-clean linoleum floors. — Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Birdie sat on the cool linoleum, half in the closet and half in the hall. — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026 ReStore does not accept baby equipment, futons, unframed mirrors, or linoleum. — Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 30 July 2026 The patterns on vinyl floors are only on the surface, while linoleum’s patterns go all the way through the material. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 July 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

Rhymes for linoleum

See All Rhymes for linoleum

Browse Nearby Words

linolenin
linoleum
linoleum-block printing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Linoleum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linoleum. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on linoleum

Nglish: Translation of linoleum for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about linoleum

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