View synonyms for macadam

macadam

[ muh-kad-uhm ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

macadam

/ məˈkædəm /

a road surface made of compressed layers of small broken stones, esp one that is bound together with tar or asphalt

Origin of macadam¹

1815–25; named after J. L. McAdam (1756–1836), Scottish engineer who invented it

Origin of macadam¹

C19: named after John McAdam (1756–1836), Scottish engineer, the inventor

Cool, dry weather; relatively but not totally flat terrain; soft running surfaces, like dirt, gravel or macadam.

Rubber tires do not slip on good macadam roads and during our tour it was necessary to use chains on the wheels only a few times.

The name macadam is often used now to denote the material used in making roads.

Mr. Gano stopped meditatively, and struck his blackthorn into the gray "MacAdam" powder.

She was put together skew-geed an' one side of her was so out of geer that she couldn't run straight even on a macadam road.

The car raced along the road, crossed a macadam highway, went four blocks and pulled to a stop.

April 25, 2024firkin

[fur-kin ]

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