bitumen

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A sticky, black, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum, burning with a bright flame. It occurs as an abundant natural product in many places, as on the shores of the Dead and Caspian Seas. It is used in cements, in the construction of pavements, etc.; Mineral pitch.
2. (broadly, countable, uncountable) Any one of the natural hydrocarbons, including the hard, solid, brittle varieties called asphalt, the semisolid maltha and mineral tars, the oily petrolea, and even the light, volatile naphthas.
3. (Australia, colloquial, countable, uncountable) Roads sealed with bitumen, as opposed to dirt roads.
4. (Canada, countable, uncountable) Canadian deposits of extremely heavy crude oil.

Verb

To cover or fill with bitumen.

Synonyms

asphalt

pitch

macadam

mineral pitch

petroleum

rock

🪨

stone

🪨

tar

tarmacadam

blacktopping

rock-oil

jews’ pitch

blacktop

Translations

bitume

bitume

Bitumen

betún

betume

aardpek

asfalt

بتيومين

bitumen

asfalto

aardhars

άσφαλτος

betum

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbɪt.jʊ.mɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: bithumen

In summary

From Middle English bithumen, bitumen, from Latin bitūmen. Doublet of bitume.

Sentences

The refinery would refine bitumen into eight different products .