linoleum

/ləˈnoʊliəm/

/lɪˈnʌʊliəm/

Other forms: linoleums

Linoleum is a sturdy, water-resistant type of floor covering. Many kitchens and bathrooms have linoleum floors, which kids love to slide across in their socks.

Linoleum, which has been around since the late 1800s, is a smooth flooring made from linseed oil and other materials like powdered cork and wood fibers. Linoleum is durable, easy to clean with a mop, and comes in many colors. It's been largely replaced by cheaper and less flammable plastics, but many people still prefer linoleum because it's organic and non-allergenic. Linoleum's inventor coined the word, a combination of the Latin for “linen or flax,” linum, and oleum, which means "oil."

Definitions of linoleum

1. noun

   durable, smooth floor covering made from linseed oil, cork, and resin
   synonyms: lino

   type of:

   covering material

   a material used by builders to cover surfaces