bitumen

[ bahy-too-muh n, -tyoo-, bi-, bich-oo- ]
/ baɪˈtu mən, -ˈtyu-, bɪ-, ˈbɪtʃ ʊ- /

noun

any of various natural substances, as asphalt, maltha, or gilsonite, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons.
(formerly) an asphalt of Asia Minor used as cement and mortar.

Origin of bitumen

1425–75; late Middle English bithumen < Latin bitūmen

OTHER WORDS FROM bitumen

bi·tu·mi·noid [bahy-too-muh-noid, -tyoo-, bi-] /baɪˈtu məˌnɔɪd, -ˈtyu-, bɪ-/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for bitumen

British Dictionary definitions for bitumen

bitumen
/ (ˈbɪtjʊmɪn) /

noun

any of various viscous or solid impure mixtures of hydrocarbons that occur naturally in asphalt, tar, mineral waxes, etc: used as a road surfacing and roofing material
the constituents of coal that can be extracted by an organic solvent
any liquid suitable for coating aggregates
the bitumen
  1. Australian and NZ informal any road with a bitumen surface
  2. (capital) Australian informal the road in the Northern Territory between Darwin and Alice Springs
a transparent brown pigment or glaze made from asphalt

Derived forms of bitumen

bituminous (bɪˈtjuːmɪnəs), adjective

Word Origin for bitumen

C15: from Latin bitūmen, perhaps of Celtic origin

Scientific definitions for bitumen

bitumen
[ bĭ-tōōmən ]

Any of various flammable mixtures of hydrocarbons and other substances found in asphalt and tar. Bitumens occur naturally or are produced from petroleum and coal.