pave
payv
Pave (verb) means to cover a surface such as a road or path with a hard material like concrete, stone, or asphalt. Example: “The council paved the old dirt track so cyclists could use it.”
verb
1
To cover a surface such as a road or path with a hard material like concrete, stone, or asphalt.
"The council paved the old dirt track so cyclists could use it."
"Workers paved the driveway with brick."
2
To make something possible or easier for what comes next, as in "pave the way."
"Her research paved the way for a new generation of vaccines."
How to use pave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lay a hard surface, or figuratively, to set things up so something else can happen easily.
Common pairings
pave the way
pave a road
a paved surface
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- paves
- Past tense
- paved
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The council _____ the old dirt track so cyclists could use it.
Etymology
From Old French paver, tracing back to a Vulgar Latin word meaning "to beat down" or "ram" — describing how early road surfaces were compacted.
Related words
Rhymes for pave
See all rhymes for pave →Frequently asked questions
What does “pave” mean?
The word “pave” means to cover a surface such as a road or path with a hard material like concrete, stone, or asphalt. In plain terms, to lay a hard surface, or figuratively, to set things up so something else can happen easily.
How do you pronounce “pave”?
“Pave” is pronounced payv (/peɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “pave” in a sentence?
Here is “pave” used in a sentence: “The council paved the old dirt track so cyclists could use it.”
What part of speech is “pave”?
“Pave” is a verb.
Where does the word “pave” come from?
The word “pave” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French paver, tracing back to a Vulgar Latin word meaning "to beat down" or "ram" — describing how early road surfaces were compacted.
Is “pave” a common word?
“Pave” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “pave” have?
“Pave” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cover a surface such as a road or path with a hard material like concrete, stone, or asphalt.
