pavement

noun

pave·​ment ˈpāv-mənt 

1

: a paved surface: such as

a

: the artificially covered surface of a public thoroughfare

b

chiefly British : sidewalk

2

: the material with which something is paved

3

: something that suggests a pavement (as in flatness, hardness, and extent of surface)

Examples of pavement in a Sentence

He stopped the car just off the pavement.

The summer heat rose off the pavement.

Recent Examples on the Web

All of these locations have higher concentrations of black roofs and pavement, along with fewer trees to provide shade. —Alyssa Andrews, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026

The container struck Duprey, who lost control of the scooter, slammed into a tree and crashed onto the pavement. —ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026

On one side, dry pavement and clear air. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026

The video, recorded by Hannah Ford, shows what appears to be a sharp boundary between dry pavement and heavy rain moving down a street. —Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pavimentum, from pavire

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pavement

• hit the pavement
• pavement café
• pounded the streets/pavement
• pound the streets/pavement

Rhymes for pavement

• enslavement

Kids Definition

pavement

noun

pave·​ment ˈpāv-mənt 

1

: a paved surface (as of a street)

2

: the material with which something is paved