pave

¹

[ peyv ]

verb (used with object)

, paved, pav·ing.

1. to cover or lay (a road, walk, etc.) with concrete, stones, bricks, tiles, wood, or the like, so as to make a firm, level surface.

noun

1. Southern Louisiana. a paved road.

pavé

²

[ puh-vey, pav-ey; French pa-vey ]

noun

, plural pa·vés [p, uh, -, veyz, pav, -eyz, p, a, -, vey].

1. a pavement.
2. Jewelry. a setting of stones placed close together so as to show no metal between them.

adverb

1. Jewelry. in the manner of a pavé; as a pavé:

   diamonds set pavé.

adjective

1. Also pa·véd, pa·véed. being set pavé:

   pavé rubies.

pave

¹

/ peɪv /

verb

1. to cover (a road, path, etc) with a firm surface suitable for travel, as with paving stones or concrete
2. to serve as the material for a pavement or other hard layer

   bricks paved the causeway

3. often foll by with to cover with a hard layer (of)

   shelves paved with marble

4. to prepare or make easier (esp in the phrase pave the way )

   to pave the way for future development

pavé

²

/ ˈpæveɪ /

noun

1. a paved surface, esp an uneven one
2. a style of setting gems so closely that no metal shows

Derived Forms

• ˈpaver, noun

Other Words From

• un·paved adjective
• well-paved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pave¹

1275–1325; Middle English paven < Middle French paver < Vulgar Latin *pavare, for Latin pavīre to beat, ram, tread down

Origin of pave²

1755–65; < French, past participle of paver. See pave

Word History and Origins

Origin of pave¹

C14: from Old French paver, from Latin pavīre to ram down

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. pave the way to / for, to prepare for and facilitate the entrance of; lead up to:

   His analysis of the college market paved the way for their entry into textbook publishing.

Example Sentences

"By bridging biological systems and engineering, our research has the potential to pave the way for new technologies and scientific discoveries."

From Science Daily

After an internal grievance procedure lodged by Letby was upheld in her favour, though, the way was paved for her to return to nursing.

From BBC

"The study implies that key genes involved in stem cell formation might have originated far earlier than the stem cells themselves, perhaps helping pave the way for the multicellular life we see today."

From Science Daily

It could also pave the way for a better understanding of the pathological mechanisms underlying certain skin diseases, such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.

From Science Daily

“His professionalism, commitment to his craft and game preparation paved the way for the coaching we see across the league today.”

From Los Angeles Times