Pave Meaning
/peɪv/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo cover something with paving slabs.
verbTo cover with stone, concrete, blacktop or other solid covering, especially to aid travel.
Sentence Examples
The city began to pave streets in 1910.
Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy sector.
I wonder if they'll ever pave this road.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The city workers will ____ the old road with asphalt next week to make it smoother.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The city council voted to ____ the dirt road to improve access for residents during rainy seasons.
Word Origin & History
From Old French paver (“to pave, to cover”), from Vulgar Latin *pavāre (“to beat down, to smash”), from Latin pavīre (“to beat, strike, ram, tread down”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"They paved Paradise and put up a parking lot."
— 1970, Joni Mitchell, “Big Yellow Taxi”, in Ladies of the Canyon:
"After two weeks Miguel began to circulate freely about the city in his truck, albeit with the long, chrome-plated pistol cocked and ready on his lap. It wouldn't be for three more years that Gonzo would tell Miguel about the secret leverage that paved his path to freedom."
— 2011, Rice Baker-Yeboah, The Animal Pathways 1-2, page 110:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The city workers will ____ the old road with asphalt next week to make it smoother.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The city council voted to ____ the dirt road to improve access for residents during rainy seasons.