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. See limestone pavement
   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

Uneven pavement played havoc with plated dishes and craft cocktails.

From Washington Blade

Trudging along empty pavement to the nursing home where she works in Northeast Washington, she struggled to shake the feeling of being alone — and exposed.

From Washington Post

The pavement is solid underfoot, the steps at 77 Mass Ave mere feet away, yet I can’t go inside, so the whole place feels like a dream.

From MIT Technology Review

Depending on how the surface is sealed, the cleaner could break down the oil in the pavement.

From Washington Post

As you would expect, it was far superior than the van once we left the pavement.

From Outside Online

Blood spatters on the pavement seem to confirm that he was moving toward Wilson when the instantly fatal shot was fired.

From The Daily Beast

This year, however, Democratic dominance at pounding the pavement might finally be challenged.

From The Daily Beast

Democrats have long dominated at pounding the pavement in the Hawkeye State.

From The Daily Beast

“For some unknown reason, the vehicle traveled off the pavement at a gradual angle,” the troopers wrote.

From The Daily Beast

Buzzfeed assures me that deadbeats camped out on the pavement in big cities are hipsters.

From The Daily Beast

After that he lit a cigarette and smoked feverishly, walking up and down the pavement.

From Project Gutenberg

One day, on Ludgate hill, a porter passing him was nearly pushed off the pavement by an unintentional motion of the doctor.

From Project Gutenberg

There were many knots of men under the broad roof over the pavement, but in spite of the ubiquitous saloon no drunkenness.

From Project Gutenberg

Why must I and my child walk on this hot pavement, while they repose on velvet cushions and revel in all luxury?

From Project Gutenberg

The pavement is of rough cobble-stones, and swarms of dogs and children crowded the way everywhere.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• asphalt
• road
• sidewalk