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
Examples of asphalt in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The port serves as the primary entry point for asphalt in the United States, with imports totaling about 4,000 BPD in 2023, sourced mainly from Canada.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The city known for excess and summer pool parties began counting every drop, even the small dribbles flowing onto asphalt.
—Daniel Rothberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Class 1 e-bikes, already allowed on paved or asphalt trails, would be allowed on dirt trails, while Class 2 e-bikes would be allowed on unpaved and paved trails, as long as the rider has an impairment and a permit from the DNR.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2024
Hexagonal asphalt tiles were placed and granite blocks were laid out in intricate herringbone and basket-weave patterns, forming the distinctive path that is now traversed by 42 million visitors every year.
—Anna Kodé, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Five men — one to control traffic, one to drive the truck towing a machine that keeps hot asphalt mix from drying and three filling, smoothing and tamping down the holes — went hunting through several residential streets on the near eastside.
—Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024
Where large tracts of land are not available, sponge city projects are replacing concrete and asphalt with permeable pavement, installing green roofs and creating trenches called bioswales that channel storm-water runoff and use vegetation to filter out debris and pollution.
—Richard Schiffman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Plants’ sensitivity to temperature explains why flowers in the countryside bloom later than in nearby cities, where concrete and asphalt trap more heat than natural landscapes.
—Harry Stevens, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
Patrick Camp The Cullman Times, al, 7 July 2023
In the pasture nearby, her Irish sport horse, Valhalla, rolled on its back contentedly, as Ms. Uhlar enumerated the roads lost to asphalt during her lifetime.
—Jim Zarroli, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2023
Away's trend-setting polycarbonate shell still holds up in its large checked bag, which comes in a dozen shades from blush pink to asphalt gray and sky blue.
—Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2022
And there are series for dirt, asphalt oval, and road course.
—Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 2 Oct. 2022
Kids are at risk too, thanks to asphalt schoolyards that can hit 145 degrees in the San Fernando Valley, Alejandra Reyes-Velarde reports.
—Sammy Rothstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022
Lined with wood chips and bark dust, the 4.4-mile loop was inspired by Prefontaine, who suggested the idea of building a trail with an alternate surface to asphalt in the park after competing in Europe.
—oregonlive, 18 July 2022
On one occasion, Warner lied about the square footage and asphalt depth on an airport roadway project, creating and later approving a $938,000 bill from the subcontractor, who had only invoiced for $275,000.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 11 Feb. 2022
City Council is expected to soon approve numerous service department expenditures, including a brand-new chipper ($59,280), leaf vacuums ($149,465) and asphalt recycler with hot box trailer ($33,348).
—John Benson, cleveland, 23 June 2021
Noun
Advertisement The plan still represents an addition of more than 980,000 square feet to the 25-acre site at Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue that retains a suburban-style low-density appearance with soundstages, low-rise offices and support facilities flanked by asphalt parking lots.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The port serves as the primary entry point for asphalt in the United States, with imports totaling about 4,000 BPD in 2023, sourced mainly from Canada.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The city known for excess and summer pool parties began counting every drop, even the small dribbles flowing onto asphalt.
—Daniel Rothberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Class 1 e-bikes, already allowed on paved or asphalt trails, would be allowed on dirt trails, while Class 2 e-bikes would be allowed on unpaved and paved trails, as long as the rider has an impairment and a permit from the DNR.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2024
Hexagonal asphalt tiles were placed and granite blocks were laid out in intricate herringbone and basket-weave patterns, forming the distinctive path that is now traversed by 42 million visitors every year.
—Anna Kodé, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Five men — one to control traffic, one to drive the truck towing a machine that keeps hot asphalt mix from drying and three filling, smoothing and tamping down the holes — went hunting through several residential streets on the near eastside.
—Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024
Where large tracts of land are not available, sponge city projects are replacing concrete and asphalt with permeable pavement, installing green roofs and creating trenches called bioswales that channel storm-water runoff and use vegetation to filter out debris and pollution.
—Richard Schiffman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Plants’ sensitivity to temperature explains why flowers in the countryside bloom later than in nearby cities, where concrete and asphalt trap more heat than natural landscapes.
—Harry Stevens, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
As is typical behavior for the animals, the majority of holes are in fairly close proximity to the pond, but Hart noticed one of particular concern which seemed to be leading to a burrow beneath the parks asphalt walking track.
—Patrick Camp The Cullman Times, al, 7 July 2023
In the pasture nearby, her Irish sport horse, Valhalla, rolled on its back contentedly, as Ms. Uhlar enumerated the roads lost to asphalt during her lifetime.
—Jim Zarroli, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2023
Away's trend-setting polycarbonate shell still holds up in its large checked bag, which comes in a dozen shades from blush pink to asphalt gray and sky blue.
—Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2022
And there are series for dirt, asphalt oval, and road course.
—Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 2 Oct. 2022
Kids are at risk too, thanks to asphalt schoolyards that can hit 145 degrees in the San Fernando Valley, Alejandra Reyes-Velarde reports.
—Sammy Rothstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022
Lined with wood chips and bark dust, the 4.4-mile loop was inspired by Prefontaine, who suggested the idea of building a trail with an alternate surface to asphalt in the park after competing in Europe.
—oregonlive, 18 July 2022
On one occasion, Warner lied about the square footage and asphalt depth on an airport roadway project, creating and later approving a $938,000 bill from the subcontractor, who had only invoiced for $275,000.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 11 Feb. 2022
City Council is expected to soon approve numerous service department expenditures, including a brand-new chipper ($59,280), leaf vacuums ($149,465) and asphalt recycler with hot box trailer ($33,348).
—John Benson, cleveland, 23 June 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'asphalt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Asphalt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphalt. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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)
asphalt
2 of 2 verb
: to cover with asphalt
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