adobe

[uh-doh-bee]

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.

adobe

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of adobe¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of adobe¹

C19: from Spanish

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

For decades, her adobe dwelling hosted waves of grandchildren and great-grandchildren as sons and daughters went back and forth, entrusting expanding broods to the matriarch.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s even selfishly hoarded toilet paper in his fancy adobe estate.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

That includes adobe and cob, a material made from clay, sand and straw.

From Los Angeles Times