pavement
UK: ˈpeɪvmənt | US: ˈpeɪvmənt
n. a hard surface covering for roads, sidewalks, or other outdoor areas, typically made of concrete, asphalt, or stone.
The word "pavement" originates from the Latin pavimentum, meaning "a hard-trodden or beaten floor," derived from pavire ("to beat, ram down"). The morpheme pave reflects the action of compacting materials to create a solid surface, while -ment nominalizes the process. The term evolved in Old French as pavement before entering Middle English, retaining its core meaning of a constructed hard surface.
The city repaired the cracked pavement after the winter freeze.
She tripped on the uneven pavement and scraped her knee.
The protestors chalked messages on the pavement outside the courthouse.
Hot pavement can burn a dog’s paws in summer.
The old town’s cobblestone pavement is a tourist attraction.