asphalt
asphalt Lexical Profile
asphalt Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A dark, sticky, semi-solid mixture of bitumens mixed with sand or gravel, widely used for surfacing roads, parking lots, and roofs.
"The summer heat radiated intensely off the freshly laid asphalt in the school parking lot."
North American A black or dark-brown viscous petroleum substance that occurs naturally in mineral deposits or is obtained as a residue from refining crude oil.
"Refineries extract heavy asphalt from crude oil to manufacture waterproof roofing materials."
• verb
To surface or cover a road, driveway, or other area with asphalt.
"The municipality hired a crew to asphalt the gravel road before the winter rains began."
Word Nuance & Usage
In American English, 'asphalt' refers to both the sticky black petroleum binder (known in British English as 'bitumen') and the paved road surface mixture (commonly called 'tarmac' in British English).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Late Latin asphaltus from Ancient Greek asphaltos ('mineral pitch, bitumen'), likely a loanword from a Semitic language related to Akkadian kupru ('bitumen').