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

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

What residents who want to rebuild with materials like adobe are left with is, largely, confusion.

From Los Angeles Times