# tarmac

/ˈtɑɹˌmæk/ (US) · /tˈɑːmæk/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tarmac
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the hard, black surface used for roads and airport runways. You often hear this word when a plane is waiting on the ground before taking off.

For teachers: a material used for surfacing roads or runways, consisting of crushed stone mixed with tar. Often used metonymically to refer to the airport apron or runway area where aircraft park and taxi.

## Examples

- The plane waited on the tarmac for twenty minutes.
- Passengers were forced to remain on the aircraft for three hours while it sat on the tarmac due to a technical delay.
- Heat shimmered off the dark tarmac as the ground crew hurried to finish refueling the jet before its scheduled departure window closed.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the definite article 'the' when referring to the ground area of an airport.

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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.