Bitumen Definition
bĭ-to͝omən, -tyo͝o-, bī-
noun
Any of various flammable mixtures of hydrocarbons and other substances, occurring naturally or obtained by distillation from coal or petroleum, that are a component of asphalt and tar and are used for surfacing roads and for waterproofing.
American Heritage
Asphalt found in a natural state.
Webster's New World
Any of various black, combustible, solid to semisolid mixtures of hydrocarbons that are usually obtained from the distillation of petroleum, used to make roofing materials, sealants, paints, etc.
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Bitumen
Noun
Singular:
bitumen
Plural:
bitumens, bituminaOrigin of Bitumen
-
From Latin bitūmen, from Gaulish *bitu (compare Scottish Gaelic bìth ‘resin, gum’) and -ūmen from Latin ferūmen ‘cement, glue’.
From Wiktionary
Middle English bithumen a mineral pitch from the Near East from Latin bitūmen perhaps of Celtic origin
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to bitumen using the buttons below.