bitumen

[bahy-too-muhn, -tyoo-, bih-, bich-oo-]

noun

1. any of various natural substances, as asphalt, maltha, or gilsonite, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons.

2. (formerly) an asphalt of Asia Minor used as cement and mortar.

bitumen

/ ˈbɪtjʊmɪn, bɪˈtjuːmɪnəs /

noun

1. any of various viscous or solid impure mixtures of hydrocarbons that occur naturally in asphalt, tar, mineral waxes, etc: used as a road surfacing and roofing material

2. the constituents of coal that can be extracted by an organic solvent

3. any liquid suitable for coating aggregates

4. 1. informal,  any road with a bitumen surface

   2. informal,  (capital) the road in the Northern Territory between Darwin and Alice Springs

5. a transparent brown pigment or glaze made from asphalt

bitumen

1. Any of various flammable mixtures of hydrocarbons and other substances found in asphalt and tar. Bitumens occur naturally or are produced from petroleum and coal.

Other Word Forms

• bituminoid adjective
• bituminous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bitumen¹

1425–75; late Middle English bithumen < Latin bitūmen

Word History and Origins

Origin of bitumen¹

C15: from Latin bitūmen , perhaps of Celtic origin

Example Sentences

Raac is often coated with another material, such as bitumen on roofing panels.

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Also known as bitumen, asphalt is a sticky black substance derived from crude oil, widely used to construct roads, highways and airport runways.

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It is more breathable but is often installed where a highly-resistant underlay like bitumen felt is already present, stopping vapour from escaping.

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Volatile dilutants added to the heavy bitumen from Alberta enable it to flow through the pipeline.

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The researchers discovered traces of a mixture of ochre and bitumen on several stone tools, such as scrapers, flakes, and blades.

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Related Words

• blacktop