adobe

American  

[uh-doh-bee] / əˈdoʊ bi /

noun

1. sun-dried brick made of clay and straw, in common use in countries having little rainfall.

2. a yellow silt or clay, deposited by rivers, used to make bricks.

3. a building constructed of adobe.

4. a dark, heavy soil, containing clay.

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adobe British  

/ əˈdəʊbɪ /

noun

1. 1. a sun-dried brick used for building

   2. ( as modifier )

      an adobe house

2. a building constructed of such bricks

3. the clayey material from which such bricks are made

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Etymology

Origin of adobe

1750–60; < Spanish < Arabic al-ṭub the brick < Coptic to:o:be brick < Egyptian Demotic tb < Egyptian Hieroglyphic ḏbt

Example Sentences

County officials signaled interest in rebuilding in fire zones with natural materials, such as adobe, but advocates say their policies make it nearly impossible.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025

Eventually, however, the lush commons became something like adobe hills.

From Salon • Jul. 12, 2025

Hackman was a lover of the arts and a painter himself, so he fit in well: Santa Fe is known for its iconic adobe architecture and is home to more than 250 galleries.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2025

If you have the time, hike the park road up to the adobe visitors center and museum.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2024

The main street was wide—with sun-bleached cars and pickups parked at an angle to the curb—but only a few blocks long, flanked on both sides with low, flat-roofed buildings made of adobe or brick.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls