asphalt

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A sticky, black to brown and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid, composed almost entirely of bitumen with small mineral particles, that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits.
2. (abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable) Ellipsis of asphalt concrete, a hard ground covering used for roads and walkways.

Verb

To pave with asphalt.

Synonyms

bitumen

tarmac

mineral pitch

pave

asphaltum

tar

Jews’ pitch

blacktop

asphalt concrete

pitch

bitumen of Judea

jews’ pitch

oil asphalt

oil tar

petroleum asphalt

ballast

pave with asphalt

distillate

foundation

gravel

macadam

roadbed

tarmacadam

tarring

blacktopping

chian

Translations

asphalte

asfalto

asfalto

Asphalt

asfalto

asfalt

bitume

άσφαλτος

asfalt

asfalt

asfaltare

bitume

Bitumen

asphalter

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈæʃfɑlt/

Etymology

From Late Latin asphaltum, from Ancient Greek ἄσφαλτος (ásphaltos, “asphalt, bitumen”). Displaced native Old English eorþteoru.