asphalt

1 of 2

noun

as·​phalt ˈas-ˌfȯlt How to pronounce asphalt (audio)
also ˈash-
especially British -ˌfalt
variants or less commonly asphaltum
as-ˈfȯl-təm How to pronounce asphalt (audio)
especially British -ˈfal-
1
: a dark bituminous substance that is found in natural beds and is also obtained as a residue in petroleum refining and that consists chiefly of hydrocarbons
2
: an asphaltic composition used for pavements and as a waterproof cement
asphaltic
as-ˈfȯl-tik How to pronounce asphalt (audio)
especially British -ˈfal-
adjective

asphalt

2 of 2

verb

asphalted; asphalting; asphalts

transitive verb

: to cover with asphalt : pave sense 1

Examples of asphalt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Germans were crawling as far as the street, dashing across the asphalt, then leaping into the second trench. — Vasily Grossman, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 Urban areas, where concrete and asphalt absorb heat during the day and slowly release it overnight, could struggle to fall much below 80 degrees. — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Verb
And there are series for dirt, asphalt oval, and road course. — Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 2 Oct. 2022 The home was designed for the Walter, who had become wealthy asphalting rural roads. — AFAR Media, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for asphalt

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English aspalt, from Late Latin aspaltus, from Greek asphaltos

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of asphalt was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing asphalt

Rhymes for asphalt

See All Rhymes for asphalt

Browse Nearby Words

as per usual
asphalt
asphalt-base
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Asphalt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphalt. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

asphalt

1 of 2 noun
as·​phalt ˈas-ˌfȯlt How to pronounce asphalt (audio)
1
: a brown to black substance that is found in natural beds or obtained as something left in petroleum or coal-tar refining and that consists chiefly of compounds of carbon and hydrogen
2
: any of various compositions of asphalt having different uses (as for pavement or for waterproof cement or paint)
asphaltic
as-ˈfȯl-tik How to pronounce asphalt (audio)
adjective

asphalt

2 of 2 verb
: to cover with asphalt

More from Merriam-Webster on asphalt

Nglish: Translation of asphalt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about asphalt

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