linen

1 of 2

adjective

lin·​en ˈli-nən 

1

: made of flax

2

: made of or resembling linen

linen

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: cloth made of flax and noted for its strength, coolness, and luster

b

: thread or yarn spun from flax

2

: clothing or household articles made of linen cloth or similar fabric

3

: paper made from linen fibers or with a linen finish

Examples of linen in a Sentence

Noun

She washes the linen every week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

According to a recent report published by Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey’s office, which covers the period between 2017 and 2024, some Steward facilities had to forgo key investments in staffing, surgical equipment, elevator repairs, and even clean linens. —Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024

Part of that means providing gift cards that survivors can use to purchase clothes, household linens and even Christmas gifts for children whose worlds have been rocked by trauma. —Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Dec. 2024

The entire design was made of linen featuring blue and white stripes. —Mikelle Street, WWD, 6 Dec. 2024

Like Ebola, the Marburg virus is believed to originate in fruit bats and can spread between individuals through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated surfaces, such as bed linens. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English līnen, from līn flax, from Latin linum flax; akin to Greek linon flax, thread

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing linen

• bed linen(s)
• table linen

Kids Definition

linen

noun

lin·​en

ˈlin-ən

1

: smooth strong cloth or yarn made from flax

2

: household articles (as tablecloths or sheets) or clothing (as shirts or underwear) that were once often made of linen

linen adjective