bitumen

1 of 2

noun

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

bituminize

2 of 2

transitive verb

bi·​tu·​mi·​nize bə-ˈt(y)ü-mə-ˌnīz 

bī-

variants or less commonly bitumenize

bə-ˈt(y)ü-mə-ˌnīz, 

bī-

-ed/-ing/-s

: to prepare or treat with bitumen

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

Once temps dip below the freezing mark, however, the bitumen becomes brittle and is subject to cracking. — 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

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

Transitive verb

Latin bitumin-, bitumen + English -ize

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bitumen

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