pavement

noun

pave·​ment ˈpāv-mənt 

1

: a paved surface: such as

a

: the artificially covered surface of a public thoroughfare

b

chiefly British : sidewalk

2

: the material with which something is paved

3

: something that suggests a pavement (as in flatness, hardness, and extent of surface)

Examples of pavement in a Sentence

He stopped the car just off the pavement.

The summer heat rose off the pavement.

Recent Examples on the Web

Advertisement Security camera video showed the shooter approach Thompson from behind, level his pistol and fire several shots, barely pausing to clear a brief gun jam while the dying health executive tumbled to the pavement. —Michael Balsamo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024

Prepare your vehicle by checking your tire tread, tire air pressure, gas tank and fluid levels and heat, cleaning your vehicle and creating a disaster supply kit. Plan for traveling by checking road conditions for wet pavement and covered roadways. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 4 Dec. 2024

And the thick soles offered great cushioning and traction on pavement, gravel, cement and grass. —Samson McDougall, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024

The short answer: For the vast majority of pavement pounders, there won’t be much of a difference. —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pavimentum, from pavire

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pavement

• hit the pavement
• pavement café
• pound the streets/pavement

Kids Definition

pavement

noun

pave·​ment ˈpāv-mənt 

1

: a paved surface (as of a street)

2

: the material with which something is paved