bitumen

Everyday

1. A black, sticky, tar-like substance made from oil, used to make road surfaces and waterproof roofs. tree →
2. (Australia, New Zealand) The tarred surface of a road; also called "the bitumen". tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about materials and oil it is a material that is waterproof and sticky when hot and hard when cool. In Australia and New Zealand people say "the bitumen" for a sealed road compared with a dirt road. In history, bitumen was used to waterproof boats and in ancient building. Phrases: "on the bitumen" (Australia), "bitumen roof".

Examples

• The workers spread hot bitumen on the road. tree →
• Bitumen keeps the roof dry. tree →
• In Australia we drove off the bitumen onto a dusty track. tree →
• Bitumen gets soft and sticky on very hot days. tree →
• Ancient people used bitumen to seal their boats. tree →
• Do not touch hot bitumen; it can burn your skin. tree →

Note

Uncountable: "some bitumen". Pronounced "BITCH-oo-men" or "BIT-yoo-men". Americans usually say "asphalt" or "blacktop"; British people often say "tarmac" for the road surface. Hot bitumen is dangerous.