asphalt

1 of 2

noun

as·​phalt ˈas-ˌfȯlt 

 also  ˈash-,

 especially British  -ˌfalt

variants or less commonly asphaltum

as-ˈfȯl-təm 

 especially British  -ˈfal-

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

asphaltic

as-ˈfȯl-tik 

 especially British  -ˈfal-

adjective

asphalt

2 of 2

verb

asphalted; asphalting; asphalts

transitive verb

: to cover with asphalt : pave sense 1

Examples of asphalt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hoosick Street is a four-lane, two-way strip of asphalt that connects Troy to the rest of the state. —USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024

Fewer customers at the asphalt plant could cost the city some money. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 20 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing asphalt

• asphalt jungle

Kids Definition

asphalt

1 of 2 noun

as·​phalt ˈas-ˌfȯlt 

1

: a brown to black substance that is found in natural beds or obtained as something left in petroleum or coal-tar refining and that consists chiefly of compounds of carbon and hydrogen

2

: any of various compositions of asphalt having different uses (as for pavement or for waterproof cement or paint)

asphaltic

as-ˈfȯl-tik 

adjective

asphalt

2 of 2 verb

: to cover with asphalt