pavement

noun

pave·​ment ˈpāv-mənt How to pronounce pavement (audio)
1
: a paved surface: such as
a
: the artificially covered surface of a public thoroughfare
b
chiefly British : sidewalk
2
: the material with which something is paved
3
: something that suggests a pavement (as in flatness, hardness, and extent of surface)

Examples of pavement in a Sentence

He stopped the car just off the pavement. The summer heat rose off the pavement.
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.
At a curve in the road, the truck exited the pavement to the left and hit a light pole. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026 Avoid planting a mulberry tree near sidewalks and driveways to avoid fallen fruit on the pavement. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026 The Hoka Transport style is the perfect pick if your adventures take you beyond the pavement. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026 By the end of the night, the pavement was littered with busted watermelons, sodas and chips, according to law enforcement and social media videos. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pavement

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pavimentum, from pavire

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pavement was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing pavement

Rhymes for pavement

See All Rhymes for pavement

Browse Nearby Words

pavé
pavement
pavemental
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

pavement

noun
pave·​ment ˈpāv-mənt How to pronounce pavement (audio)
1
: a paved surface (as of a street)
2
: the material with which something is paved

More from Merriam-Webster on pavement

Nglish: Translation of pavement for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pavement

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