blacktop

American  

[blak-top] / ˈblækˌtɒp /

noun

1. a bituminous substance, usually asphalt, for paving roads, parking lots, playgrounds, etc.

2. a road covered with blacktop.

---

adjective

1. pertaining to or surfaced with blacktop.

   a blacktop driveway.

verb (used with object)

blacktopped, blacktopping

1. to pave with blacktop.

blacktop British  

/ ˈblækˌtɒp /

noun

1. a bituminous mixture used for paving

2. a road paved with this mixture

---

Etymology

Origin of blacktop

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35; black + top ¹

Example Sentences

I pulled into the parking lot of the Carson Home Depot, a sprawling Southern California blacktop shared with Albertsons, Staples, and a McDonald’s.

From Slate • Oct. 27, 2025

"When she starts running her mouth, you better not say anything back because she won't miss!" is what was shared amongst the dudes who battled her on the blacktop daily.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2024

On the morning of the landslide, Ron DeQuilettes, an electrical contractor who also did blacktop installation work, was to come to the house to give an estimate for a new driveway.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 17, 2024

Prosecutors showed the courtroom an image of a Mercedes emblem lying on the blacktop, and Mejia later testified there were two emblems from the luxury car line found at the scene.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2024

I knew they really wanted to go out to the blacktop, and I tried to tell them they didn’t have to stay indoors just because I was being punished.

From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee