gravel

American  

[grav-uhl] / ˈgræv əl /

noun

1. small stones and pebbles, or a mixture of these with sand.

2. Pathology.

   1. multiple small calculi formed in the kidneys.

   2. the disease characterized by such concretions.

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verb (used with object)

graveled, graveling, gravelled, gravelling

1. to cover with gravel.

2. to bring to a standstill from perplexity; puzzle.

3. Informal. to be a cause of irritation to.

4. Obsolete. to run (a ship) aground, as on a beach.

adjective

1. harsh and grating.

   a gravel voice.

gravel British  

/ ˈɡrævəl /

noun

1. an unconsolidated mixture of rock fragments that is coarser than sand

2. geology a mixture of rock fragments with diameters in the range 4–76 mm

3. pathol small rough calculi in the kidneys or bladder

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verb

1. to cover with gravel

2. to confound or confuse

3. informal to annoy or disturb

Other Word Forms

• gravelish adjective
• ungraveled adjective
• ungravelled adjective
• well-graveled adjective
• well-gravelled adjective

Etymology

Origin of gravel

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French gravele, diminutive of grave sandy shore, perhaps < Celtic; grave ⁴, growan

Example Sentences

Jonas looks around, taking in every detail of the trees, sky and gravel.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

The Opel Blitz was stuck fast in the deep gravel bed, almost up to its axles.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

In the tests, the team dropped marbles into sand that contained scattered pieces of painted gravel representing boulders on Dimorphos.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

SUVs idle in the gravel shoulders, with camera cables snaking out of their doors and across the asphalt.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

But it must be a trick of the light, because as I careen across the gravel, I see the tip of the Sandy June’s sign.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• sand
• shale