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Definition of bitumen

bitumen

/bɪˈtuːmən/
bi · tu · men
Plural:bitumens
•
Adjective:bituminous
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bitumen Lexical Profile

bitumen Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A black, highly viscous mixture of hydrocarbons obtained naturally from mineral deposits or as a residue from petroleum distillation, widely used for road surfacing and roofing.

Example

"Workers heated the dark bitumen before mixing it with crushed stone to pave the new highway."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for bitumen

Word Nuance & Usage

In British and Commonwealth English, 'bitumen' refers to the liquid petroleum binder while 'asphalt' refers to the final paving mixture of binder and aggregate; in North American English, 'asphalt' is commonly used for both.

• Rhymes for bitumen

• Nearby Words

bittersweetly
bittersweetness
bitty
bitumen
bivalve
bivouac
biweekly

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 15th century from Latin 'bitumen' (mineral pitch), a word of Gaulish or Osco-Umbrian origin ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root '*gwetu-' (resin, pitch).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bitumen. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bitumen
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