gravel

noun

grav·el | \ ˈgra-vəl

Definition of gravel

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 obsolete : sand

2a : loose rounded fragments of rock

b : a stratum or deposit of gravel also : a surface covered with gravel a gravel road

3 : small calculi in the kidneys and urinary bladder

gravel

verb

graveled or gravelled; graveling or gravelling\ ˈgrav-liŋ

, ˈgra-və- \

Definition of gravel (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to cover or spread with gravel

2a : perplex, confound

b : irritate, nettle disappointed … and graveled him a good deal— Mark Twain

gravel

adjective

Definition of gravel (Entry 3 of 3)

: gravelly sense 2 —used of the human voice

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about gravel

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Examples of gravel in a Sentence

Verb

managed to gravel his opponent in the debate by focusing on atypical examples

Adjective

after his bout with laryngitis, he had a terribly gravel voice

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

About hot-mix asphalt Hot mix asphalt is made by combining stone, sand or gravel with asphalt cement and heating the mixture, which is then laid for roads. — Paul Cobler, Dallas News, "Frisco officials, residents go after asphalt plant with complaint history, urge state not to renew permit," 3 July 2019 In her photographs, the Flats are carved into a series of no-man’s lands edged by dunes of sand and gravel and massive bridge piers. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga 50 photo shows uncover fresh takes on the recovery of a once combustible river," 30 June 2019 The town’s zoning regulations do not allow sand and gravel mining operations in RA-80 zones either by right or by special permit. — Denise Coffey, courant.com, "Thompson PZC Hears Arguments Over Mining Operation," 28 June 2019 Planes land on a strip of gravel; this far out, there’s no airport. — USA Today, "Alaska is considered the deadliest state for women. A staggering 59% of women there have experienced violence.," 25 June 2019 Wooden forms, concrete mixers and stockpiles of sand and gravel that a small army of carpenters and laborers had assembled for the bridge building project also were washed downstream. — Jacques Kelly, baltimoresun.com, "Spanning Herring Run, the old Harford Road Bridge weathered a rough start," 8 June 2019 Possibilities have started to open back up—wide, flat gravel trails and rustic lodges, creeks with sandy beaches. — Adrienne So, WIRED, "Snow Peak’s Fire Pit Makes Me Like Camping Again," 16 June 2019 These entertaining roads, with occasional gravel paths and creek crossings mixed in for good measure, were an unforgettable way to sample the new, second-generation 2020 Range Rover Evoque. — Houston Chronicle, "Range Rover Evoque gets added finesse, mild-hybrid versions," 14 June 2019 My husband built a fire pit out back with a wide pea-gravel perimeter. — Jennifer Chesak, Twin Cities, "Jennifer Chesak: My dad obsesses over his lawn. I ripped mine up.," 14 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The pursuit path included U.S. 20, gravel logging roads and the quiet residential area where Brown was eventually arrested. — oregonlive.com, "Newport man arrested after lengthy high-speed chase, deputies say," 27 June 2019 Reaching the stadium from the baseball offices is a circuitous route that takes you in one door and then out of another in State’s indoor football facility, down a steep, unleveled sidewalk and through a dusty, graveled-covered work site. — Ross Dellenger, SI.com, "How Mississippi State Baseball Turned a Season That Began in Humiliation Into a Trip to Omaha," 15 June 2018 This practice begs the question: would gravel make sense in some of the areas off the path of the driveway? — Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "Here’s what to do with all that sand and gravel left behind now that the snow has melted," 3 May 2018 For developers, Davis says, the upfront cost of the seeds and planting is offset in the long term by lower maintenance costs—no turf to mow or gravel erosion to manage. — National Geographic, "Beekeepers Sweeten Solar Sites With the 'Tesla of Honey'," 24 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gravel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.