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

Blazing pavement and relentless humidity can cause your car’s air conditioning system to work overtime just to keep the cabin comfortable. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 20 July 2026

On the road, the bZ’s suspension prioritizes ride comfort over corner-carving theatrics, absorbing rough pavement pretty well while maintaining enough body control to avoid feeling too floaty. — New Atlas, 20 July 2026

Some kicks are thrown in there before the two fall hard to the pavement. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026

The Solana Beach City Council approved an agreement July 15 with Quality Engineering Solutions and other measures related to the city’s pavement management program, including a five-year update. — Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026

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
• pounded the streets/pavement
• 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