noun
- a black sticky substance obtained from petroleum, used for surfacing roads and waterproofing
- any of various naturally occurring mixtures of hydrocarbons found in asphalt, tar, and petroleum
Usage: technical
Examples
- The road crew spread hot bitumen across the highway surface.
- Bitumen is commonly used to waterproof building foundations.
- The ancient Babylonians used natural bitumen as mortar for their buildings.
- Workers heated the bitumen before applying it to the roof.
- The parking lot was sealed with a fresh layer of bitumen.
- Natural deposits of bitumen can be found in several countries.