Added 9 October 2026
asphalt
/ˈæʃfɑlt/ noun
In Latin: bitūmen, asphaltum Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about asphalt at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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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.
The mining of asphalt was big business in this area in the early twentieth century.
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Ellipsis of asphalt concrete, a hard ground covering used for roads and walkways.
Please hose off the asphalt near the top of the driveway if the trucks get lots of mud on it.
verb
- To pave with asphalt.
Origin
From Late Latin asphaltum, from Ancient Greek ἄσφαλτος (ásphaltos, “asphalt, bitumen”). Displaced native Old English eorþtyrewa (literally, "earth-tar").
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)