asphalt

1 of 2

noun

as·​phalt ˈas-ˌfȯlt How to pronounce asphalt (audio)
 also  ˈash-,
 especially British  -ˌfalt
variants or less commonly asphaltum
as-ˈfȯl-təm How to pronounce asphalt (audio)
 especially British  -ˈfal-
1
: a dark bituminous substance that is found in natural beds and is also obtained as a residue in petroleum refining and that consists chiefly of hydrocarbons
2
: an asphaltic composition used for pavements and as a waterproof cement
asphaltic
as-ˈfȯl-tik How to pronounce asphalt (audio)
 especially British  -ˈfal-
adjective

asphalt

2 of 2

verb

asphalted; asphalting; asphalts

transitive verb

: to cover with asphalt : pave sense 1

Examples of asphalt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
To those who don’t know much about drag racing, NHRA participants regularly take their 12,000-hp cars to more than 330 mph in less than four seconds on a 1,000-ft. strip of asphalt. Jim Clash, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 There is not an inch of asphalt or any reliable electricity. New York Times, 11 Oct. 2024
Verb
As is typical behavior for the animals, the majority of holes are in fairly close proximity to the pond, but Hart noticed one of particular concern which seemed to be leading to a burrow beneath the parks asphalt walking track. Patrick Camp The Cullman Times, al, 7 July 2023 In the pasture nearby, her Irish sport horse, Valhalla, rolled on its back contentedly, as Ms. Uhlar enumerated the roads lost to asphalt during her lifetime. Jim Zarroli, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for asphalt 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'asphalt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English aspalt, from Late Latin aspaltus, from Greek asphaltos

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of asphalt was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near asphalt

Cite this Entry

“Asphalt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphalt. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

asphalt

1 of 2 noun
as·​phalt ˈas-ˌfȯlt How to pronounce asphalt (audio)
1
: a brown to black substance that is found in natural beds or obtained as something left in petroleum or coal-tar refining and that consists chiefly of compounds of carbon and hydrogen
2
: any of various compositions of asphalt having different uses (as for pavement or for waterproof cement or paint)
asphaltic adjective

asphalt

2 of 2 verb
: to cover with asphalt

More from Merriam-Webster on asphalt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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