bitumen

American  

[bahy-too-muhn, -tyoo-, bih-, bich-oo-] / baɪˈtu mən, -ˈtyu-, bɪ-, ˈbɪtʃ ʊ- /

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.

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bitumen British  

/ 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

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bitumen Scientific  

/ bĭ-to̅o̅′mən /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• bituminoid adjective
• bituminous adjective

Etymology

Origin of bitumen

1425–75; late Middle English bithumen < Latin bitūmen

Example Sentences

To produce oil there, the industry separates heavy oil, or bitumen, from the sands through an underground process that uses steam.

From Barron's

But Carney's memorandum of understanding with Alberta to advance an initiative that involves piping bitumen to Canada's northwest Pacific coast and building a massive port to accommodate oil tankers has drawn outrage.

From Barron's

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

Related Words

• blacktop