Pavement refers to a hard, flat surface for walking, typically made of concrete or asphalt. In most contexts it denotes the public path alongside a road or street. The word can also serve metaphorical uses, but its primary meaning remains a durable walking surface that supports traffic and weather exposure.
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"She stepped onto the pavement to admire the street musicians."
"The city plans to repair the damaged pavement in the busy plaza."
"In British English, ‘pavement’ means the sidewalk, whereas Americans say ‘sidewalk.’"
"Rain had blurred the chalk markings on the pavement, making the game harder to see."
Pavement comes from the Old French pavement, based on pavier, meaning ‘to make firm or cover with a paving material.’ The root pav- derives from Latin pavire, meaning ‘to beat down, make flat,’ linked to paving multiples by paving stones and street surfaces. The sense extended in English to a manufactured surface for walking, especially in urban areas. In Middle English usage, pavement referred to a floor or floor covering, later narrowing to outdoor walkways in towns and cities as streets were surfaced with hard materials. The term gained prominence in the 15th–17th centuries as urban infrastructure expanded under burgeoning towns, with concrete and asphalt becoming common in the 19th century. Its first known written appearances are in civic statutes and architectural treatises describing the material and process of laying flat, durable surfaces for pedestrian traffic. Over time, “pavement” has held both literal (physical surface) and figurative meanings (to pave the way).
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "pavement" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "pavement"
-ent sounds
-ic) sounds
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Pavement is pronounced /ˈpeɪvmənt/ in both US and UK varieties. The primary stress is on the first syllable, with the vowel in the first syllable a long A: /eɪ/. The second syllable has a schwa as a quick, unstressed /mə/ and ends with a light /nt/ cluster. Tip: keep the /v/ distinct between the /eɪ/ and /m/; a common slip is reducing the /v/ or turning the /mv/ into /m/.”
Common mistakes include: 1) Slurring the /v/ into the /f/ sound, making /ˈpeɪfmənt/; ensure you actively voice the /v/ between the vowels. 2) Reducing the second syllable too much, saying /ˈpeɪvmnt/ without the /ə/; keep a light schwa (/mə/) for natural rhythm. 3) Misplacing stress by weakening the initial syllable; maintain clear primary stress on /ˈpeɪv/. Practice by isolating /peɪv/ and then attaching /mənt/.”
In US and UK, /ˈpeɪvmənt/ is standard with initial long /eɪ/ and a short, unstressed /mə/. The UK tends to have clearer enunciation of the /v/ and slightly less vowel reduction in fast speech; Americans may exhibit a reduced /ə/ and quicker /nt/ closure. Australian English follows US patterns but with a slightly more open /æ/ in fast speech only in some varieties; overall rhythm remains iambic with primary stress on the first syllable.”
The difficulty lies in the sequence /ˈpeɪv/ followed by a reduced /mənt/, which requires switching from a tense diphthong to a mid-central vowel quickly. Speakers often mishandle the /v/ or over-reduce the /mə/ cluster. Mastering the transition between a strong initial syllable and a brief, unstressed second syllable helps; practice by slowing the middle part and ensuring a crisp /v/ and rounded /eɪ/ before it.”
A notable feature is maintaining a distinct /v/ sound within the first syllable's /peɪv-/ cluster while preparing for the reduced /mənt/. The second syllable’s schwa should be short and relaxed, not swallowed into the following nasal. Keep the /t/ final crisp, avoiding glottalization in careful speech. Emphasize the contrast between / peɪv/ and the lightly unstressed /mənt/ for natural rhythm.
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