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

There’s still a lot to learn on pavement, but having such incredible support gives me a ton of confidence. —Joseph Wolkin, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

As Moore fell to the pavement suffering from a fatal gunshot wound, the gunman and his sidekicks took off, with Washington’s phone and wallet in tow, cops said. —Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025

The streets are so quiet that a plastic cup scudding across the pavement sounds like thunder. —Emma John, AFAR Media, 7 Jan. 2025

Friends who missed me knew where to find me—on the pavement with Genie. —Sanobar Sabah, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

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