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Tarmac

//ˈtɑː(ɹ)mæk// noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Tarmacadam. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    a paved surface having compressed layers of broken rocks held together with tar wordnet
  3. 3
    Any bituminous road surfacing material. Canada, Ireland, UK, broadly, countable, uncountable

    "How meek and shrunken did that haughty Tarmac become as it slunk by the wide circle of asphalt of the yellow sort, that was loosely strewn before the great iron gates of Lady Hall as a forerunner of the consideration that awaited the guests of Rupert, Earl of Kare, […]."

  4. 4
    a paving material of tar and broken stone; mixed in a factory and shaped during paving wordnet
  5. 5
    The driveable surface of a road. Canada, Ireland, UK, countable, uncountable
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  1. 6
    The area of an airport, other than the runway, where planes park or maneuver. countable, informal, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    To pave with tarmacadam or a similar material. British, Canada

    "To your left is a green lane, partly tarmacked with chippings, which leads up to a little car-parking area."

  2. 2
    surface with macadam wordnet
  3. 3
    To spend time idling on a runway, usually waiting for takeoff clearance.

    ""It is not unusual these days for the time spent tarmacking to exceed the time spent in the air, " said Senator John Danforth, R-Mo."

Etymology

Etymology 1

Clipping of tarmacadam, which is from tar + macadam (“crushed stones”). Originally a trademark owned by its inventor, Edgar Hooley.

Etymology 2

Clipping of tarmacadam, which is from tar + macadam (“crushed stones”). Originally a trademark owned by its inventor, Edgar Hooley.

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