gravel

[ grav-uhl ]

noun

1. small stones and pebbles, or a mixture of these with sand.
2. Pathology.
   1. multiple small calculi formed in the kidneys.
   2. the disease characterized by such concretions.

verb (used with object)

, grav·eled, grav·el·ing or (especially British) grav·elled, grav·el·ling.

1. to cover with gravel.
2. to bring to a standstill from perplexity; puzzle.
3. Informal. to be a cause of irritation to.
4. Obsolete. to run (a ship) aground, as on a beach.

adjective

1. harsh and grating:

   a gravel voice.

gravel

/ ˈɡrævəl /

noun

1. an unconsolidated mixture of rock fragments that is coarser than sand
2. geology a mixture of rock fragments with diameters in the range 4–76 mm
3. pathol small rough calculi in the kidneys or bladder

verb

1. to cover with gravel
2. to confound or confuse
3. informal.
   to annoy or disturb

Derived Forms

• ˈgravelish, adjective

Other Words From

• gravel·ish adjective
• un·graveled adjective
• un·gravelled adjective
• well-graveled adjective
• well-gravelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gravel¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French gravele, diminutive of grave sandy shore, perhaps < Celtic; grave ⁴, growan

Word History and Origins

Origin of gravel¹

C13: from Old French gravele, diminutive of grave gravel, perhaps of Celtic origin

Example Sentences

I don’t listen to music or podcasts; I just zone out to the crunching of gravel beneath my feet.

From Los Angeles Times

After that will come a “giant mattress of gravel” 12 inches deep, Rock said, laced with perforated pipes to collect runoff and direct it into Liberty Canyon Creek.

From Los Angeles Times

She resides down a gravel road in a house she and her husband built.

From Los Angeles Times

So, F1 might prefer higher kerbs, or gravel traps, or a different surface on the outside of the corner, so that these track limits issues do not cause so many problems.

From BBC

The storm had put her husband, who mows lawns, out of work, so he was hauling gravel with his dump truck.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sand
• shale