# pavement

/ˈpeɪvmənt/ (US) · /pˈeɪvmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pavement
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. pedestrian walkway

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

the hard path at the side of a road for people to walk on.

For teachers: the paved path for pedestrians located at the side of a road. In British English, this is the standard term for what Americans call a 'sidewalk'.

- The children were told to stay on the pavement and away from the cars.
- The council decided to widen the pavement to accommodate the increased foot traffic from the new underground station.

Usage: Commonly used with the preposition 'on'.

### 2. road surface material

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

the hard surface of a road or a large area like a car park.

For teachers: the durable surface layer of a road, street, or parking area, typically made of asphalt or concrete.

- The hot sun made the pavement soft and sticky.
- Engineers are testing a new type of porous pavement that allows rainwater to soak through into the ground rather than creating puddles.

Teaching tip: In North America, 'pavement' refers to the road surface where vehicles drive, whereas in the UK, it refers to where people walk.

## Examples

- Please walk on the pavement to stay safe from the cars.
- The city council is repairing the cracked pavement to prevent pedestrians from tripping.
- Urban planners often prioritise the widening of the pavement in high-traffic districts to encourage walking and reduce the reliance on public transport.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.