gravel

American  

[grav-uhl] / ˈgræv əl /

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.

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verb (used with object)

graveled, graveling, gravelled, gravelling

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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to cover with gravel

2. to confound or confuse

3. informal to annoy or disturb

Other Word Forms

• gravelish adjective
• ungraveled adjective
• ungravelled adjective
• well-graveled adjective
• well-gravelled adjective

Etymology

Origin of gravel

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

Example Sentences

Perhaps more surprisingly, bags of gravel and even cans of soft drinks are also targets - and "they will be out the door before we're even aware that they're in the shop".

From BBC

Gabbro is an unremarkable rock, so cheap and abundant it is used for gravel and building roads.

From The Wall Street Journal

After the morning's testing stages on the dusty gravel tracks north of Jeddah, M-Sport Ford driver Martins Sesks emerged as the surprise front-runner.

From Barron's

We find it is more than eager to tackle dirt and gravel trails.

From MarketWatch

He has eliminated any brush or flammable plants near his home and surrounds it in gravel to prevent his home from catching fire.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sand
• shale