pavement

noun

pave·​ment ˈpāv-mənt 

1

: a paved surface: such as

a

: the artificially covered surface of a public thoroughfare

b

chiefly British : sidewalk

2

: the material with which something is paved

3

: something that suggests a pavement (as in flatness, hardness, and extent of surface)

Examples of pavement in a Sentence

He stopped the car just off the pavement.

The summer heat rose off the pavement.

Recent Examples on the Web

On the pavement outside the store, Rich told her brother, someone had rolled Ervin’s body over and stolen the pack of cigarettes. —Kallie Cox, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025

Bourbon Street in recent years has had two different types of barriers – wedges, which are ramps that rise to block the street, and bollards, which are vertical posts that come up out of the pavement. —Chris Mueller, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025

What he’s already accomplished at this point in his career speaks volumes, and it’s been impressive to see how quickly he’s adapted to pavement. —Joseph Wolkin, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

As temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands, which weakens the pavement and road base, which will crumble as vehicles drive over top. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pavimentum, from pavire

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pavement

• hit the pavement
• pavement café
• pound the streets/pavement

Kids Definition

pavement

noun

pave·​ment ˈpāv-mənt 

1

: a paved surface (as of a street)

2

: the material with which something is paved