pavement

American  

[peyv-muhnt] / ˈpeɪv mənt /

noun

1. a paved road, highway, etc.

2. a paved surface, ground covering, or floor.

3. a material used for paving. pave.

4. Atlantic States and British. sidewalk.

---

idioms

1. pound the pavement, to walk the streets in order to accomplish something.

   If you're going to find work you'd better start pounding the pavement.

pavement British  

/ ˈpeɪvmənt /

noun

1. US and Canadian word: sidewalk.  a hard-surfaced path for pedestrians alongside and a little higher than a road

2. a paved surface, esp one that is a thoroughfare

3. the material used in paving

4. civil engineering the hard layered structure that forms a road carriageway, airfield runway, vehicle park, or other paved areas

5. geology a level area of exposed rock resembling a paved road See limestone pavement

---

pavement More Idioms  

1. see pound the pavement.

---

Other Word Forms

• pavemental adjective
• prepavement noun
• subpavement noun

Etymology

Origin of pavement

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French < Latin pavīmentum. See pave, -ment

Example Sentences

Mamdani launched his campaign by pounding the pavement and speaking directly to New Yorkers to find out precisely what they needed to change.

From Salon

Sparks are seen landing on the pavement while people walk in traffic lanes recording the spectacle on their phones.

From Los Angeles Times

“During heavy rain, it’s not uncommon to notice some temporary water pooling near the curbs, especially in spots where the pavement is uneven.”

From Los Angeles Times

With temperatures plummeting below freezing overnight, the combination of snow and ice could lead to treacherous conditions on untreated roads and pavements.

From BBC

He crouched down on his paws, his nose sniffing the pavement.

From Literature

Related Words

• asphalt
• road
• sidewalk