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

This Dodge Charger reboot in Scat Pack form isn’t a cush highway cruiser, but the adaptive dampers keep it from getting skittish over broken Midwest pavement. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 24 Sep. 2026

Lifted from the pavement, that lead spelled a letter in her hand. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Combined with larger pneumatic tires and dedicated suspension systems, mid-range dual-motor scooters smooth out potholes and cracked pavement for a far more comfortable ride. — New Atlas, 22 Sep. 2026

Crews will remove and replace pavement on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge, which carries I-5 over the Sacramento River west of Sacramento International Airport. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 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