asphalt

¹as·phalt

noun
\ˈas-ˌfȯlt also ˈash-, especially British -ˌfalt\

Definition of ASPHALT

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

— as·phal·tic \as-ˈfȯl-tik, especially British -ˈfal-\ adjective

Variants of ASPHALT

as·phalt also as·phal·tum \as-ˈfȯl-təm, especially British -ˈfal-\

Origin of ASPHALT

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice