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 a balmy evening, choose the pavement terrace for prime people-watching opportunities. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

What’s unique is how it’s split across three levels: the water level for boats; the upper pavement level for pedestrians; and the central middle level, which houses Utrecht’s wharf cellars, many of which have been transformed into atmospheric bankside cafes, bars, and restaurants. —Gurdeep Loyal, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2024

Over the weekend, traffic on I-69 South was rerouted between 96th Street and 82nd Street to facilitate new pavement work on the outer lanes. —Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Oct. 2024

Plush pairs from Adidas, Asics, and Brooks are heavily discounted and perfect for pounding the pavement on your road runs. —Sara Coughlin, SELF, 8 Oct. 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