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

The bridge will re-open to one lane of traffic in each direction in November, as pavement markings are added and cleanup work is peformed, according to DPW. —Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025

The investigation began when Pekin police were dispatched to the scene and found Cheryl on the pavement by the passenger side of a vehicle in a private driveway, according to the affidavit, shared online by the Journal Star. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025

Even outside of metro areas — which tend to be warmer because of the urban heat island effect as pavement and buildings absorb and reemit heat — the entire state is trending warmer. —John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025

For those who reside anywhere with broken pavement and steep curb cuts, the lack of a mechanism for lifting the Volante’s front end seems like an oversight, especially since the car’s enhanced hood length and deep seating position place that area at greater risk due to the driver’s perspective. —Brett Berk, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for pavement

• enslavement

Kids Definition

pavement

noun

pave·​ment ˈpāv-mənt 

1

: a paved surface (as of a street)

2

: the material with which something is paved