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

This is topped off by a 10cm-thick layer of sand and gravel deposited in ripples, indicating a flow of water with a consistent direction. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "Here’s what happened in the impact crater the day it did in the dinos," 15 Sep. 2019 Get our daily newsletter After water, sand and gravel are the most used natural materials in the world. — The Economist, "The sound of sand reveals its source," 14 Sep. 2019 Trust us: Climbing up 450 feet of hot sand and gravel definitely is not. — Lucinda Hahn, New York Times, "Sahara-Level Sand Dunes, Mediterranean-Blue Water: Welcome to Michigan," 4 Sep. 2019 But its biggest long-term threat is habitat fragmentation caused by sand-and-gravel operations, highway construction and new homes. — Los Angeles Times, "This rat is foiling developers’ plans to capitalize on a weaker Endangered Species Act," 22 Aug. 2019 The Thompson Planning and Zoning Commission voted seven to two to approve a special permit for Strategic Commercial Realty d/b/a Rawson Materials to mine sand and gravel from 363 Quaddick Town Farm Road, on July 22. — Denise Coffey, courant.com, "Thompson Approves Another Gravel Mining Operation," 29 July 2019 The value of commodities carried by train can vary widely, from more than $500,000 per carload for new automobiles to only $600 per carload for construction materials such as sand or gravel. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Del Mar is weak link in San Diego’s coastal railroad," 28 July 2019 Recent sampling along the coast revealed pockets of oil buried four to eight inches under sand and gravel, often topped by stones. — Stephen Leahy, National Geographic, "Exxon Valdez changed the oil industry forever—but new threats emerge," 22 Mar. 2019 On that same gravel and dirt, the officer slammed on his car’s brakes, causing the cruiser to slide into a chain link fence. — cleveland.com, "Sex, jealousy lead to fight over man: Cleveland Heights police blotter," 6 Sep. 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.