From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishasphaltas‧phalt /ˈæsfælt $ ˈæsfɒːlt/ noun [uncountable] TTRTBCa black sticky substance that becomes hard when it dries, used for making the surface of roads —asphalt verb [transitive]
Examples from the Corpus
asphalt• Q.. Can I plant grass in earth over an asphalt driveway?• However, with experience of rather higher levels of use an asphalt surface has now been added to reduce annual maintenance costs.• He has a rival in every direction, each vigilantly vying for the business that speeds by on six lanes of asphalt.• I took the steps in big bounds and pelted across the asphalt to the school gates.• I fell hard against the asphalt playground and I felt the pain that had not been visible on film.• It was locked and empty, and its tires were flat and fused into the asphalt driveway.• The heat shimmering over the asphalt had no snap to it; time drifted by.Origin asphalt (1300-1400) Late Latin aspaltus, from Greek asphaltos 