asphalt

American  

[as-fawlt, -falt] / ˈæs fɔlt, -fælt /

noun

1. any of various dark-colored, solid, bituminous substances, native in various areas of the earth and composed mainly of hydrocarbon mixtures.

2. a similar substance that is the by-product of petroleum-cracking operations.

3. a mixture of such substances with gravel, crushed rock, or the like, used for paving.

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verb (used with object)

asphalts, present (3rd person singular) asphalted, past participle, past asphalting present participle

1. to cover or pave with asphalt.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or containing asphalt.

   asphalt tile.

asphalt British  

/ -fɔːlt, ˈæʃ-, ˈæsfælt /

noun

1. any of several black semisolid substances composed of bitumen and inert mineral matter. They occur naturally in parts of America and as a residue from petroleum distillation: used as a waterproofing material and in paints, dielectrics, and fungicides

2. a mixture of this substance with gravel, used in road-surfacing and roofing materials

3. (modifier) containing or surfaced with asphalt

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verb

1. (tr) to cover with asphalt

asphalt Scientific  

/ ăs′fôlt′ /

1. A thick, sticky, dark-brown mixture of petroleum tars used in paving, roofing, and waterproofing. Asphalt is produced as a byproduct in refining petroleum or is found in natural beds.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• asphaltic
  adjective
• asphaltlike
  adjective
• unasphalted
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• asphalting
  present
• asphalted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• asphalt
  simple
• asphalts
  simple
• have asphalted
  perfect
• has asphalted
  perfect
• am asphalting
  progressive
• are asphalting
  progressive
• is asphalting
  progressive
• have been asphalting
  perfect progressive
• has been asphalting
  perfect progressive

Past

• asphalted
  simple
• had asphalted
  perfect
• was asphalting
  progressive
• were asphalting
  progressive
• had been asphalting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will asphalt
  simple
• will have asphalted
  perfect
• will be asphalting
  progressive
• will have been asphalting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of asphalt

1275–1325; earlier asphaltos, -um < Latin < Greek ásphaltos, -on, akin to asphalízein to make firm, to secure; replacing Middle English aspaltoun ≪ Greek ásphalton

Explanation

Asphalt is the black, tarry material that's often used to pave roads or fill in potholes. Your neighbor might decide to coat his driveway in asphalt. Asphalt is a popular substance for paving roads, parking lots, and even airport runways, because it's sturdy and easy to repair. When old asphalt roads are torn up or repaved, the asphalt can be reused in new highway or road projects. Asphalt is usually manufactured from oil, or petroleum, but there are more ecologically friendly ways to make it, including using molasses, rice, or potato starch.

Example Sentences

And as “Blow Out” reminds us, all it takes to be pulled into this vicious riptide is the squeal of a shot-out tire skidding against the asphalt.

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2026

Dorr was inspired by his wife, Nell, a renowned photographer, who was tired of riding shotgun and craning her neck out the window to see where the asphalt ended.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 4, 2026

On Thursday many dog-walking New Yorkers were out early before temperatures grew unbearable and hot asphalt posed risks to their pets.

From Barron's • Jul. 2, 2026

The first was to supply abandoned fishing nets collected from Hawaii's waters for use in experimental recycled plastic asphalt.

From Science Daily • Jun. 28, 2026

“Right. The moment they weren’t touching it”—he motioned to that piece of asphalt hovering at chest level—“it refroze in time wherever they left it. Even if they left it in the air.”

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles

Related Words

• blacktop