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
Construction crews will replace the asphalt surface over the bridge’s steel deck to preserve the Interstate 80 crossing and provide a smoother driving surface. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Some of the Venezuelan oil NABEP produces is turned into asphalt to pave US streets. — Patricia Garip, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
The home was designed for the Walter, who had become wealthy asphalting rural roads. — AFAR Media, 14 July 2025 As is typical behavior for the animals, the majority of holes are in fairly close proximity to the pond, but Hart noticed one of particular concern which seemed to be leading to a burrow beneath the parks asphalt walking track. — Patrick Camp The Cullman Times, al, 7 July 2023 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 12 Aug. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gnomic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All