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

That’s a plus off-road in low traction situations, but clearly doesn’t do you any favors when trying to stop on pavement. —Bryan Rogala, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026

In 1984, the company ran a modified 911 called the 953 in the grueling Paris-Dakar Rally, and the fabled 959 was originally created in part to handle the same sort of no-pavement competition. —Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026

Phillips then allegedly rushed the officer, wrapped his arms around him and lifted him off the ground before slamming him onto the pavement, leaving the officer with a concussion and a head laceration. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026

Someone, unclear whether a man or a boy, is seen fallen on the pavement and people quickly gathered around him, then carried him away to seek help. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 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