bitumen

1 of 2

noun (1)

bi·​tu·​men bə-ˈtyü-mən 

bī-, 

-ˈtü-

especially British also ˈbit-yə-

1

: an asphalt of Asia Minor used in ancient times as a cement and mortar

2

: any of various mixtures of hydrocarbons (such as tar) often together with their nonmetallic derivatives that occur naturally or are obtained as residues after heat-refining natural substances (such as petroleum)

specifically : such a mixture soluble in carbon disulfide

bituminization

bə-ˌtyü-mə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

bī-, 

-ˌtü-

noun

bituminize

bə-ˈtyü-mə-ˌnīz 

bī-, 

-ˈtü-

transitive verb

bituminization

2 of 2

noun (2)

bi·​tu·​mi·​ni·​za·​tion bə-ˌt(y)ü-mə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

bī-

plural -s

1

: treatment with bitumen

2

: the natural development of oil shale from ordinary shales

Examples of bitumen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Construction consultancy Stonehaven estimates regional building materials’ costs have risen roughly 25% since September, driven by higher prices for aluminum, bitumen, copper, and nickel. —Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 11 June 2026

Prior to Washington's intervention, Venezuela relied on dark fleet tankers to export its oil and most flows headed to China, a key market for bitumen-rich grades such as Merey. —Weilun Soon Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 21 Jan. 2026

Previous research conducted by the scientists indicated that oil extracted from algae could be utilized to produce a bitumen-like material that remains flexible at cold temperatures. —New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2025

What you’re left with now, even though your heart has been altered, is a quantity of tar, of bitumen, of the inkiest and stickiest stuff. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English bithumen mineral pitch, from Latin bitumin-, bitumen

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bitumen

• acumen
• albumen
• albumin
• cerumen
• curcumin
• illumine
• inhuman
• nonhuman
• subhuman
• crewman
• crewmen
• cumin