Steps from the kitchen lead down to two spacious rooms which represent the original floor area of the schoolhouse.IrishThe compactness of the form minimizes heat loss despite the large amount of glazing, approximately 40 per cent of floor area.North AmericanApply a minimum of 4 ounces of bait per 1,000 square feet of floor area.North American
floor cushion
nouna large, typically flat cushion placed on the floor and used for a person to sit onwe sat on floor cushionscosy floor cushions have been arranged around a table
floor exercise
nounusually floor exercisesa routine of gymnastic exercises performed without the use of apparatusExamplesOn floor exercise one gymnast tumbled a double layout, two whips to double pike, and stuck full-in dismount.North AmericanOn floor exercise, Chusovitina performed a full-out one night and a double layout another night.North AmericanSince then, he has been regularly performing floor exercise, pommel horse, parallel bars, horizontal bar and roman rings at competitive levels.IndianIn gymnastics, the floor exercise was her favorite discipline.North American
floor lamp
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UK /ˈflɔː lamp/noun [mainly North American English] a standard lampExamplesIn terms of function, this room could be improved with the addition of another reading light, perhaps a floor lamp standing between the sofa and the chair.North AmericanThere was a ceiling fan and light fixture, along with a tall floor lamp next to each bunk bed.North AmericanA basic floor lamp, or directional lamp that can allow light to be shaded upon a wall or ceiling, can draw attention to any desired area or emphasize ceiling height.North AmericanThere are new curtains and a floor lamp along with new sofa pillows to accent the updated covers on the chair and sofa.North AmericanThe cigarette, and the floor lamp near the desk, were the only light that could be seen in the office.North AmericanIt was a hotel, dark except for the light from an open elevator and a floor lamp by one couch.North American
floor leader
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UK /ˈflɔː liːdə/noun [US English] the leader of a party in a legislative assemblyExamplesWallace began his statewide political career as a legislative floor leader for Folsom.North AmericanThe group elected Nikolov as its floor leader.North AmericanCoach is a great defensive coach, a motivation and he pushes me to be the floor leader and get the ball to the right people.North AmericanMarbury was solid in his first year in Phoenix [as KJ was in his] but a nagging ankle injury and player and coaching movement prevented him from showcasing his full talent as a floor leader.North American‘St. John's has an excellent floor leader,’ Tubby Smith says.North AmericanStockton, 39, isn't quite the player he was five or 10 years ago, but he's still an incredible passer, a fine shooter and an outstanding floor leader.North American
floor manager
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UK /ˈflɔː manɪdʒə/noun1. the stage manager of a television productionExamplesOnly 18 months before, I'd been working as a floor manager at an Irish television station, listening to them on the radio, and then suddenly I was in the room with them.CanadianI first met him in the Sixties, when he was a floor manager for Thames Television, and I was an actor.BritishTwenty people attend, including pundits, commentators, the floor manager, producer and editor.BritishJones is a freelance floor manager.British2. a member of staff in a large store who supervises other shop assistantsExamplesLouise works alongside the floor manager and with the staff.New ZealandOne of my floor manager supervisor type people has been behaving very strangely lately.BritishWith chain stores, speak to the floor manager or the most senior person in the vicinity.BritishI think the floor manager is seriously considering personally forking out for my membership at another sports club.South African
floor model
noun [North American English] an item such as a car, appliance, or piece of furniture that is used for display or demonstration to potential buyers of products of its kind, often later offered for sale at a reduced pricesome stores only have one or two in boxes and will sell the floor model when they run out
floor polisher
nounan appliance for polishing floorsheavy equipment such as vacuum cleaners or floor polishersExamplesThere was an old floor polisher held together with sticking plaster.New ZealandIt will also help to use a floor polisher or disk sander rather than the drum sander.North AmericanA smoother finish will result if the final sanding is done with the floor polisher.North AmericanCarpet cleaners, floor polishers, and power washers are all available for hire or purchase.Irish
factory floor
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UK /ˌfakt[ə]rɪ ˈflɔː/nounthe workers in a company or industry, rather than the managementthe unions had almost no influence on the factory floorExamplesGlass walls separate the office area from the factory floor, eliminating any real or perceived barriers between departments.North AmericanOverall, more people will be in the office and fewer on the factory floor, meaning more knowledge work and less muscle work.North AmericanA worker on the factory floor loudly protests that he is there to build motor boats.North AmericanThe CEO of a manufacturing company is unlikely to show up on the factory floor and operate a lathe.North American
floor polish
noun [mass noun] a manufactured substance used for polishing uncarpeted floorsExamplesNothing, but nothing - no image, no taste, no scent of cabbage and floor polish - can whisk you back like the popular music from the time when popular music was written just for you.BritishThere is a particular smell, a compound, I think, of floor polish and burnt egg, which I shall forever associate with boarding school.BritishIt was exactly the same smell as there used to be in the ante-room to our Biology lab at middle school, a hint of floor polish with overtones of formaldehyde.BritishOther products which may contain Sudan 1 include solvents, oils, waxes, petrol and shoe and floor polish.BritishSudan 1 is a red dye normally used as a colouring in solvents, oils, waxes, petrol, and shoe and floor polish.BritishI remember going to visit an old lady, the neighbor of one of my aunts, and finding a small apartment that smelled of floor polish, where each little object, even the smallest, was valued.North American
floor covering
nouna piece of material used to protect or decorate a floorvinyl floor coverings can be warm on your feetExamplesAvoid using storage cabinets or chests with rubber seals, rubber floor coverings, rubber bands, etc.North AmericanThe rough natural texture of sisal makes a cool looking floor covering.North AmericanEach unit is ready to move into, with only floor covering needed.IrishLaminate flooring is the hottest new product in floor covering in the United States.North American
floor plan
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UK /ˈflɔː plan/nouna scale diagram of the arrangement of rooms in one storey of a buildingExamplesThese locations can be the site of a building, the floor plan of a house or just the layout of a room.East AsianTogether, measure the room and make a floor plan on graph paper.North AmericanAdd to your file a detailed floor plan of your room noting windows, doors and other permanent fixtures in the room such as fireplaces.North AmericanSo he and Kim created a simple floor plan whose room sizes and openings line up more precisely than in a typical American house.North AmericanThe building had a streamlined floor plan, a streamlined look, and a streamlined construction.North AmericanShe thundered down the stairs and took a sharp right, remembering the floor plan of the apartment building from her briefing.British
floor show
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UK /ˈflɔː ʃəʊ/nounan entertainment presented on the floor [as opposed to the stage] of a nightclub, restaurant, or similar venueExamplesOf course, 60 years ago $10 would cover a filet mignon or lobster dinner with drinks as well a floor show in a posh night club.North AmericanNightly entertainment at hotels and clubs consists of a floor show of limbo dancing, folk dance, and live bands.North AmericanWe are offering that service with an added edge- a floor show they won't find anywhere else in the world.North AmericanUnfortunately, by the time you read this, weather conditions and commercialism will have transformed Sonja Henie's former home away from home into an outdoor café. The frigid floor show reopens in mid-October.North American
floor space
noun [mass noun] a continuous area or expanse of floor which is free or availablestatic shelving takes up valuable floor space[count noun] the whole installation takes up a floor space of about 6m x 3mExamplesThe houses are detached bungalows with 157 square metres of floor space.IrishGas-fired underfloor heating was installed in a bid to maximise the floor space available to the developers.Irish
floor-length
adjective[especially of clothing] reaching down to the floora floor-length skirtExamplesA clingy body stocking complements a floor-length skirt with a pareo tied at the waist for flair.North AmericanMeanwhile, in the high street, thong and push-up bra sales are heading south, while Victorian blouses and floor-length skirts are the must-haves of the autumn and winter ranges.BritishHer clothes echoed her hair - she would dress in the embroidered shirts and wide floor-length skirts of the southern state of Oaxaca, and she would often paint herself in this guise.BritishI liked his slinky grey silver silk charmeuse long-sleeve floor-length dress.North AmericanOff came the floor-length gowns, on went the hot-pants.BritishShe looked beyond amazing with the dirty blond, now tainted with golden blond, hair extensions in the bun with the deep pinkish red floor-length gown.British
cross the floor
cross noun [British English] join the opposing side in ParliamentExamplesThe cardinal crime in the Labor calendar has traditionally been ‘to rat’; that is, to cross the floor and join the opposition.AustralianHe was once a Labour councillor in the city, but crossed the floor to join the Tories.BritishThus, it was not a new development, when, after the 2001 elections, a handful of members of Parliament crossed the floor from opposition parties to the ruling MMD party.South AfricanHe was succeeded by Shaun Woodward, a director of party public relations, who later crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the Labour Party.BritishIndeed, within a few weeks Churchill crossed the floor of the House from the Conservative benches to join the Liberals.BritishIn 1900 he entered the House of Commons as a Conservative but crossed the floor within four years to join the Liberals on the issue of free trade.British
from the floor
floor noun[of a speech or question] delivered by an individual member at a meeting, not by a representative on the platformquestions from the floor will be invitedExamplesMuch interest was shown in the subject by members and many questions were asked from the floor.IrishA selection of your questions will be asked from the floor of the event in Derry.IrishThe only sign of passion he showed on Wednesday was when he answered a question from the floor about fishing quotas.BritishSparked by a question from the floor, the panel returned to this with some passion.Irish
take the floor
floor noun1. begin to dance on a dance floorExamplesEven before the acclaimed Irish dance company Riverdance takes the floor of the Shanghai Grand Stage, the principal dancers have already won over Shanghai audiences.East AsianWhen the newlywed couple take the floor for their first dance, it will be to the strains of Bert's favourite song, the Rod Stewart classic, Maggie May.BritishHe was a keen music lover and was a great fan of old time dancing and loved to take the floor at the many dances in St. Brigid's Hall over the years.IrishCouples took the floor and danced before the beautiful music.North AmericanAfter the ceremony and a formal four-course dinner reception, the bride and groom took the floor for their first dance.North AmericanAnyone with a love of fun and traditional music and dance is invited to come along and take the floor at The Castlecourt Hotel on Wednesday evening, September 24th at 9.30 pm.Irish2. speak in a debate or assemblyExamplesAnd that's when she took the floor, speaking in defence of women's rights until she was out of time and forced to stop.AustralianMost of the right-wing and left-wing opposition MPs taking the floor during the debates voiced suspicions about the matter.AustralianHe takes the floor at a meeting of a rebel faction to speak decisively against certain Red Guards and end a stalemate.North AmericanOn October 9, while the Senate was still debating the Iraq resolution, Wellstone took the floor to ask unanimous consent to take up his bill, which was co-sponsored by 32 Senators.North AmericanEven before Bush spoke, Senate Republicans announced plans to take the floor this morning to offer supportive commentary.North AmericanOn Thursday, Dr. Frist took the floor and declared, unequivocally: ‘We need to do it this year.’North American
first floor
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UK /ˌfəːs[t] ˈflɔː/noun1. [British English] the floor of a building above the ground floorExamplesThe mews development will be arranged as single bedroom apartments on the raised ground and first floors with the first floor having access via external metal staircases.BritishIt would have retail units on the ground floor, first floor offices and a conference centre above.BritishThe first floor bedsit is above a bakery in Gillygate - the main road into the city from Haxby and Wigginton.BritishThe live-in guardians will occupy rooms on the ground floor and first floor.British2. [North American English] the ground floor of a buildingExamplesThe apartment was on the first floor of a six-floor building and as usual it was a mess.North AmericanHe ran up the stairs to the first floor, but found that part of the building vacant.North AmericanShe hurried out of the room, downstairs to the first floor hall and into the kitchen.North AmericanBerlitz and Schmidt found themselves in a dining room on the first floor of the house.North American
forest floor
nounthe ground beneath the trees of a forest, consisting of roots, soil, and decomposing organic matterthe fungi are spread over the forest floorExamplesThere were hundreds of large, bright red and black bugs crawling all over the forest floor.North AmericanIts variations in height and transparency make the roofline a canopy that casts a dappled light on the forest floor.North AmericanOn the forest floor is an odd nest-like structure.South AfricanA partridge blends in well with the leaves on the forest floor.North American
ground floor
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UK /ˌɡraʊnd ˈflɔː/noun [British English] the floor of a building at ground level[as modifier] a ground-floor flatExamplesIt was a ground-floor flat in one of the redbrick two-storey buildings that made up one side of Ormond Square.BritishOpposite this is an anonymous-looking office building with a large ground-floor window.BritishHe said the attacker left by a taxi, only to return later on foot and smash a ground-floor window to the building.IrishProposals have been submitted to city planners to build a new structure of seven flats and a ground-floor shop behind the original five-storey structure.British
phrases
get in on the ground floor
pelvic floor
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UK //nounthe muscular base of the abdomen, attached to the bony pelvis[as modifier] exercises to strengthen your pelvic-floor musclesExamplesPregnant women may be able to shorten their labor and delivery times and risk of episiotomy by strengthening their pelvic-floor muscles in advance.North AmericanDoctors recommend urinating regularly, drinking plenty of water and cutting back on acidic beverages, in addition to doing Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic-floor muscles.North AmericanThe best thing to do to stop it is to strengthen the pelvic-floor muscles by doing exercises every day.BritishYour pelvic-floor muscles are the group that spasm when you orgasm.British
sales floor
noun [mainly North American English] the area of a shop or other retail establishment where goods are displayed for salethe store had multiple salespeople assisting customers on the sales floorthe majority of car purchases take place on a dealer's sales floor
second floor
noun1. [British English] the floor two levels above the ground floorExamplesPeople from this hotel have been moved up from the first floor and the ground floor to the second floor to get them away from any flooding risk.BritishMr. John Taylor saw evidence of active dry rot beneath the floorboards at second floor level.BritishA man dressed in a white suit looked down from the balcony of the second floor to the dance floor.BritishOn my first inspection of the property, on 22nd July 1998, I was provided with fire drawings of the ground, first and second floors.British2. [North American English] the floor directly above the ground floorExamplesOn the second floor, laying directly over the front of the restaurant was his home.North AmericanThey pounded their way up through the stair well to the second floor of the building.North AmericanThe bedroom and our water storage tank and pressurizing system are on the second floor.North AmericanShe walked up stairs from the basement to the second floor and walked to her locker.North American
threshing floor
nouna hard, level surface on which corn or other grain is threshed with a flailExamplesIt contains seven bays for hay and grain storage, a threshing floor, two stables and a hayloft.BritishOxen are yoked to the plough, donkeys carry the harvest from field to village, and cows and sheep trample the grain on the threshing floor.North AmericanIt would appear that field crops were threshed and sieved in other locations, perhaps in the vicinity of nearby farmhouses, in the fields, or on threshing floors around the perimeter of the site.North AmericanFor example, in the case of grain the crop was transported from the threshing floor to the granaries by boat.North AmericanIt was immaculately clean with golden corn cobs hanging from the wooden rafters, a forecourt with a threshing floor, a pile of hay, and a water pot on a stand for visitors to wash their feet before they entered the slate-roofed hut.IndianThey know that we can never be thankful enough when it comes to the gifts and the blessings of God, who gives rain so that the threshing floors will be full of grain and the vats overflow with oil and wine.North American
trading floor
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UK //nounan area within an exchange or a bank or securities house where dealers trade in shares or other securitiesExamplesThe NYSE and AMEX are both primarily auction based, which means specialists are physically present on the exchanges' trading floors.North AmericanBut they haven't even made it yet to their desks on the rowdy trading floors of investment banks in the City of London.IrishOn the NYSE, all trades occur in a physical place, on the trading floor of the NYSE.North AmericanEven before the paycheck bombshell, institutional investors were going public with long-festering complaints about improper practices on the NYSE trading floor.North American
four on the floor
noun1. [North American English, informal] a four-speed manual gear lever mounted on the floor of a motor vehiclea coupé with racing tyres and four on the floor2. also four to the floor [mass noun] [Music] a rhythm in 4/4 time in which the bass drum is played on every beat, characteristic of some styles of dance musicthe bass drum plays four on the floor throughout[as modifier] a constant four-to-the-floor beat
floordrobe
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UK /ˈflɔːdrəʊb/noun [humorous, mainly British English] an untidy heap of discarded clothing left on the floor of a rooma rapidly growing floordrobe
word origin
1990s: blend of floor and wardrobe
floorwalker
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UK /ˈflɔːwɔːkə/nouna senior employee in a large shop who supervises assistants, directs customers, and answers queriesExamplesTomorrow is my first day being ‘floorwalker’ [senior agent].BritishI was floorwalker for the newbies and have never been so busy.British
dance floor
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UK /ˈdɑːns flɔː/noun1. an area of uncarpeted floor in a nightclub, disco, or restaurant reserved for dancingExamplesThe also took the chance to get on the dance floor to enjoy some disco classics.BritishIn between dispensing dancing tips, word has it that Helen is first on the dance floor at any Malt Room gig.British2. [as modifier] denoting a type of music particularly popular as an accompaniment to dancingtheir brilliant dance-floor smash of a couple of years backExamplesGet loose, unwind and reflect on your contribution to global justice and peace to the accompaniment of the latest dance-floor fillers.BritishThe song - expected to be a huge dance-floor hit - has extra vocals written and produced by Micki Lynn.Irish
shop floor
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UK /ˌʃɒp ˈflɔː/ • UK /ˈʃɒp flɔː/noun [British English] the part of a workshop or factory where production as distinct from administrative work is carried outworking conditions on the shop floorExamplesIs the shop floor worker to dictate to his manager what should be produced?BritishIn particular, the production process on the shop floor of clothing firms is often intensive.North AmericanSome of the mostly male workers on the shop floor looked at their feet and avoided eye contact, she recalls.North AmericanMy purpose is to examine how we might more successfully understand the shop floor politics of workers.North American
wipe the floor with
wipe verb [informal] inflict a humiliating defeat onthey wiped the floor with us in a 3–0 winExamplesNot bad in a nation which is currently so powerful on the cricketing front that their talent-studded A team would be confident of wiping the floor with most of the other full test sides.BritishAnd with 1500 entries and only 6 winners, I undoubtedly wiped the floor with 1493 of them, and finished 7th.BritishShot on a puny budget on the mean streets of Shepherds Bush, it wiped the floor with most British films when it was released in 2000.BritishIt wiped the floor with almost any other action scene I've ever watched.British
sea-floor spreading
noun [mass noun] [Geology] the formation of fresh areas of oceanic crust which occurs through the upwelling of magma at mid-ocean ridges and its subsequent outward movement on either sideExamplesAfter much thought, he proposed in 1960 that the movement of the continents was a result of sea-floor spreading.North AmericanThe main figure demonstrates how sea-floor anomalies, also known as magnetic stripes, develop during sea-floor spreading.North AmericanThe main figure demonstrates how sea-floor anomalies, also known as magnetic stripes, develop during sea-floor spreading.North AmericanReversals of the Earth's magnetic field, allied to sea-floor spreading, have left their imprint in the form of a magnetic tape recorder on the sea-floor.North American
underfloor
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UK /ˈʌndəflɔː/adjective[especially of a heating system] situated or operating beneath the floorExamplesShe said, ‘there is no central heating, only an underfloor system that doesn't work well.BritishSpecial features include a centralised vacuum cleaning system, underfloor oil-fired central heating on the ground floor and double glazed windows throughout.IrishThis has modern wood flooring and the original underfloor central heating, which is believed to have been the first installed in Ireland.IrishQuite apart from its aesthetic appeal, strong selling points include the underfloor central heating system that Kevin designed.Irish
get in on the ground floor
ground floor noun [informal] join an enterprise in its early stagesthe scope for an entrepreneur to get in on the ground floor was obviousExamplesMake sure you get in on the ground floor early by checking these guys out.CanadianHe looked at the numbers and decided against the purchase and that missed opportunity has perhaps fuelled the family's interest in getting in on the ground floor of the rugby revolution.BritishBy getting in on the ground floor of the movement you'll secure a role as a progressively conservative visionary.North AmericanNow getting in on the ground floor to build up sector expertise must have its attractions.British
subfloor
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UK /ˈsʌbflɔː/nounthe foundation for a floor in a buildingExamplesWhile you can install laminate flooring over just about any type of subfloor, the subfloor needs to be clean, level, and solid.North AmericanRather than being nailed or glued to a concrete or plywood subfloor, these floors float atop the subfloor.North AmericanThe tubing for a radiant floor heating system is located either in the concrete, under wood subfloors, or on a subfloor of wood, precast concrete or concrete slab-on-grade, then covered with gypsum.North AmericanNever use the foam underlayment with moisture barrier on wood floors or wood subfloors.North AmericanAnother proposal would entail removing the subfloor to lay in batts of insulation between the subfloor and the ceiling.North AmericanInstall rigid insulation foamboard against the foundation from the subfloor to the plastic on the floor of the crawl space.