slab

noun

\ ˈslab

Definition of slab

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a thick plate or slice (as of stone, wood, or bread): such as

a : the outside piece cut from a log in squaring it

b : concrete pavement (as of a road) specifically : a strip of concrete pavement laid as a single unjointed piece

c(1) : a flat rectangular architectural element that is usually formed of a single piece or mass a concrete foundation slab

(2) : a rectangular building having little width with respect to its length and usually height

2 : something that resembles a slab (as in size, shape, or density) backed up by a solid slab of reference material — The Times Literary Supplement (London)

3 : a hard plastic holder for a collectible coin and an identifying insert

slab

verb

slabbed; slabbing

Definition of slab (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to remove an outer slab from slab a log

b : to divide or form into slabs

2 : to cover or support (something, such as a roadbed or roof) with slabs

3 : to put on thickly

slab

adjective

Definition of slab (Entry 3 of 3)

dialectal, chiefly England

: thick, viscous

Other Words from slab More Example Sentences Learn More about slab

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Examples of slab in a Sentence

Noun

a thick slab of homemade bread

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In one video, Gökçe cuts up slabs of beef for Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. — Gaby Del Valle, Vox, "Why is Marco Rubio tweeting about Salt Bae?," 18 Sep. 2018 The break sent huge slabs of concrete plummeting into two warehouses, some railroad tracks and a riverbed below the bridge. — Bradford Betz, Fox News, "Death toll in Italian bridge collapse climbs to 39," 15 Aug. 2018 Foster predicts that by mid-July, contractors will have completed the slab and foundation for the new elementary school, which is expected to be roughly 125,000-square feet. — Michelle Iracheta, Houston Chronicle, "Conroe ISD breaks ground on 2 new campuses, closer to finishing $487 million bond referendum," 18 May 2018 Precision 2000 will remove failing slabs of concrete on State Route 11 Connector from milepost 0 to 3.15 and on State Route 11/ US 129 from milepost 5.7 to 9.4. — Karen Huppertz, ajc, "Lane closures start on S.R. 11/ US 129 in Jefferson," 12 May 2018 Hu and his team spent several hours making each coffee-table book–size slab of densified wood used for testing. — Sid Perkins, Scientific American, "Stronger Than Steel, Able to Stop a Speeding Bullet—It’s Super Wood!," 7 Feb. 2018 Undeterred, searchers dragged slabs of ham down game trails and baited camera traps with roadkill or live chickens. — Brooke Jarvis, The New Yorker, "The Obsessive Search for the Tasmanian Tiger," 16 Jan. 2012 At its most delicate, the concrete slab is just 20 millimeters thick, which has both aesthetic and functional benefits. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Cool rippling concrete ceiling was made with 3D printing," 7 Aug. 2018 The blood sausage slab on top of a buckwheat galette that surfaced at the end of June was as seasonal as earmuffs. — New York Times, "It’s Not Fake French, It’s Frenchette," 10 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Brazil, which primarily exports slab steel to US manufacturers, is hoping to escape by agreeing on limited quotas for more sophisticated products. — Jack Ewing And Ana Swanson, BostonGlobe.com, "US allies brace for trade war as tariff negotiations stall," 29 Apr. 2018 Brazil, which primarily exports slab steel to American manufacturers, is hoping to escape by agreeing on limited quotas for more sophisticated products. — Jack Ewing And Ana Swanson, New York Times, "U.S. Allies Brace for Trade War as Tariff Negotiations Stall," 29 Apr. 2018 Wipers can be found in the same areas trolling crankbaits, slabbing, or using live bait. — Tyler Mahoney, kansascity, "Fishing report: Looking for hot spots? Here's where the fish are biting | The Kansas City Star," 14 Mar. 2018 Try trolling crankbaits, slabbing, or using live bait. — Tyler Mahoney, kansascity, "Fishing report: Prospects should improve if the winds stay calm | The Kansas City Star," 7 Mar. 2018

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