tarmac

1 of 2

noun

tar·​mac ˈtär-ˌmak 

: a tarmacadam road, apron, or runway

Tarmac

2 of 2

trademark

—used for a bituminous binder for roads

Examples of tarmac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Offering services around the world, Welcome Wings removes chaos from the airport experience, with individualized itineraries, private tarmac transfers, exclusive lounge accommodations, and semi-private customs access. — Air Mail, 15 Aug. 2026

The season 4 premiere also features dialogue at Gates Bar-B-Q and the airport tarmac that nods to the classic romantic drama. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026

Ground handling and tarmac loading have fully resumed, though flight schedules will require another 24-to-48 hours to clear passenger and freighter backlogs. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 11 Aug. 2026

The attack was a show of force and was criticized for using expensive precision ammunition to hit the airport tarmac. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from Tarmac, a trademark

First Known Use

Noun

1919, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tarmac

• the tarmac

Rhymes for tarmac

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

tarmac

noun

tar·​mac ˈtär-ˌmak 

: a road, apron, or runway paved with layers of crushed stone covered with tar