pavement

[ peyv-muhnt ]

noun

1. a paved road, highway, etc.
2. a paved surface, ground covering, or floor.
3. a material used for paving. pave.
4. Atlantic States and British. sidewalk.

pavement

/ ˈpeɪvmənt /

noun

1. a hard-surfaced path for pedestrians alongside and a little higher than a road US and Canadian wordsidewalk
2. a paved surface, esp one that is a thoroughfare
3. the material used in paving
4. civil engineering the hard layered structure that forms a road carriageway, airfield runway, vehicle park, or other paved areas
5. geology a level area of exposed rock resembling a paved road See limestone pavement

Other Words From

• pave·men·tal [peyv-, men, -tl], adjective
• pre·pavement noun
• sub·pavement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pavement¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French < Latin pavīmentum. See pave, -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of pavement¹

C13: from Latin pavīmentum a hard floor, from pavīre to beat hard

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. pound the pavement, Informal. to walk the streets in order to accomplish something:

   If you're going to find work you'd better start pounding the pavement.

More idioms and phrases containing pavement

see pound the pavement .

Example Sentences

She has advocated for removing concrete and pavement in parts of the watershed to naturally capture rainwater and recharge groundwater.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a slow, stubborn defiance of the passing years, paying his respects his own way, when all the other groups had finished, cheered on by the crowds nearby on the pavement.

From BBC

This is why Lemon’s pavement pounding in this election cycle was crucial.

From Salon

Whether you’re looking for the best path for the most scenic staircases to climb or a group of fellow walkers to hit the pavement with, we’ve got you covered — one step at a time.

From Los Angeles Times

A woman in chador sits on the pavement begging to be let into the smoking ruins of an apartment block, but men reason with her to stay put.

From BBC

Related Words

• asphalt
• road
• sidewalk