First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1tile
noun, often attributive \ˈtī(-ə)l\
: a usually flat piece of hard clay, stone, or other material that is used for covering walls, floors, etc.
: a curved piece of hard clay that is used for covering roofs
: a small, flat piece that is used in some board games
Full Definition of TILE
1
plural tiles or tile a : a flat or curved piece of fired clay, stone, or concrete used especially for roofs, floors, or walls and often for ornamental work b : a hollow or a semicircular and open earthenware or concrete piece used in constructing a drain c : a hollow building unit made of fired clay or of shale or gypsum
2
: tiling
3
: hat; especially : a high silk hat
4
: a thin piece of resilient material (as cork, linoleum, or rubber) used especially for covering floors or walls
5
: a thin piece resembling a ceramic tile that usually bears a mark or letter and is used as a playing piece in a board game (as mah-jongg)
— on the tiles
British
: engaged in late-night carousing
See tile defined for English-language learners
See tile defined for kids
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Origin of TILE
Middle English, from Old English tigele, from Latin tegula tile; akin to Latin tegere to cover — more at thatch
2tile
transitive verb
: to cover (something) with tiles
tiledtil·ing
Full Definition of TILE
1
: to cover with tiles
2
: to install drainage tile in
— til·er noun
First Known Use of TILE
13th century
TILE Defined for Kids
1tile
noun \ˈtīl\
Definition of TILE for Kids
1
: a thin piece of material (as plastic, stone, or clay) used for roofs, walls, floors, or drains
2
: a small flat piece used in a game
2tile
verb
tiledtil·ing
Definition of TILE for Kids
: to cover with tiles
Learn More About TILE
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