bitumen
n. C1 Advanced US //ˌbaɪˈtumən// UK //bˈɪtʃuːmən// bi·tu·men
n. a thick, sticky black substance used to make roads and waterproof surfaces. It is a natural material that is very hard to melt.
n. a thick, sticky, black or brown viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It is primarily used as a binder in asphalt for road construction and as a waterproofing agent.
The workers applied a layer of bitumen to the roof.
Engineers tested the bitumen to ensure it could withstand the extreme heat of the desert summer.
The chemical structure of bitumen allows it to bind aggregate materials together, creating a durable surface that can endure heavy traffic and environmental stress.
From Middle English bithumen, bitumen, from Latin bitūmen. Doublet of bitume.