macadam

[ muh-kad-uh m ]

/ məˈkæd əm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR macadam ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a macadamized road or pavement.

the broken stone used in making such a road.

Nearby words

mac, mac-, mac., macabre, macaco, macadam, macadamia, macadamize, macanese, macao, macapagal

Origin of macadam

1815–25; named after J. L. McAdam (1756–1836), Scottish engineer who invented it

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for macadam

Cool, dry weather; relatively but not totally flat terrain; soft running surfaces, like dirt, gravel or macadam.
Running the World|Michael Chertoff|July 25, 2009|DAILY BEAST
But she was courageous, and soon the two were gayly chattering, as Bob stumbled and stamped along the macadam road.
Natalie: A Garden Scout|Lillian Elizabeth Roy
MacAdam determined to carry out his plan, with or without protection.
Ireland as It Is|Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)
In examining the furnaces with Mr Macadam in April 1886, we found a portion of a thin bar, which appeared to be of iron.
Gairloch In North-West Ross-Shire|John H. Dixon, F.S.A. Scot

Letters in future had better be directed to the care of Dr. Macadam, the secretary, as they will have to go by sea.
Successful Exploration Through the Interior of Australia|William John Wills
The road was a good hard level stretch of macadam and the wheels fairly spun along it.
The Motor Boys|Clarence Young

British Dictionary definitions for macadam

macadam

/ (məˈkædəm) /

noun

a road surface made of compressed layers of small broken stones, esp one that is bound together with tar or asphalt

Word Origin for macadam

C19: named after John McAdam (1756–1836), Scottish engineer, the inventor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012