tarmac

USAGE SUMMARY

'tarmac' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use this word to refer to a type of road surface made of tar and other materials or as a verb meaning to cover something with tar. Example: The road workers tarmacked the entire street in one day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But even before he could feel the tarmac beneath his feet and settle into the sleek grey Jaguar idling on the apron, the reality of his predicament became clear.

The Guardian - Business

Well separated now from the new tarmac track, the fencing above the low white wall that Senna's car hit (it was a steel suspension arm from the front axle that fatally speared the driver's right temple) is now a shrine garlanded with wailing Latin graffiti, flowers and favours, many in the green and yellow of his country.

The Guardian - Sport

At the foot of the Khandama mountain to the west of the Grand Mosque, an innocuous white building stands alone, cast adrift in a sea of paving and tarmac.

The Guardian - Arts

The main road through Katine has been upgraded to tarmac, Atirir is set to be elevated to a township, and with a chance Airir will be reconnected, to the national electricity grid, she expects business to pick up.

The Guardian

But after the minister and his party wheeled their bags through the quiet of the fading light over to the famous Birdsville pub and motel, just at the edge of the tarmac, they were confronted with what looked like a raucous set from the movie Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

The Guardian

Just as she was about to escape, a mountain ash was thrown across the tarmac.

The Guardian

Once in the mountains, we were immediately careering along slivers of swerving tarmac under a crystal-blue sky.

The Guardian - Travel

The Cahill Expressway in Sydney – briefly renamed the Tim Cahill Expressway in 2014 – is another multi-million pound stretch of tarmac.

The Guardian - Sport

Then, turning off the tarmac, she continued for another hour through a canopy of baobab trees that have served as Boko Haram's hideout.

The Guardian

Parking spaces will be fitted with studs, about 6in in diameter, that look like cat's eyes and are glued to the tarmac.

The Guardian - Tech

On the side of the rough tarmac road I saw lines of sandy foxholes and trenches stretching into the distance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about airports or roads, use "tarmac" to specifically refer to the bituminous surface. It adds a level of detail that general terms like "pavement" lack.

Common error

Avoid using "tarmac" to describe any paved surface. Reserve it for contexts where the specific type of paving material is relevant, such as on airport runways or specific road constructions.

Linguistic Context

The term "tarmac" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a specific type of paving material used for roads and airport runways. It can also function as a verb, meaning to pave with tarmac, as seen in Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Travel

15%

Sports

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tarmac" is a common and accepted term in English, referring to a bituminous paving material used for roads and airport runways. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it can function as both a noun and a verb, it is most frequently used in journalistic and travel writing contexts. When using the term, it's important to be specific about the surface material rather than using it as a general term for any paved area. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively incorporate "tarmac" into your writing to add detail and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apron

Describes the area of an airport where aircraft are parked, often made of "tarmac".

runway

Focuses specifically on the landing strip at an airport, a key area covered in "tarmac".

airstrip

Similar to 'runway', describes an airfield specifically for aircraft takeoff and landing.

flight line

Similar to "apron", referring to area where aircraft are maintained and readied for flight.

asphalt

Refers to a similar road paving material, focusing on the material composition rather than the specific airport context.

pavement

A more general term for a paved surface, losing the specificity of the material and context.

paved surface

A broader description that "tarmac" falls under, lacking the implied material and location.

macadam

An older type of road construction, less common now but related in concept.

road surface

Similar to paved surface but specific to roadways and roads in general.

paved area

A very broad description of an area covered with a hard material.

FAQs

How is "tarmac" typically used in sentences?

The word "tarmac" is used to describe the paved surface of roads or airport runways, as in "The plane taxied onto the "runway"" or "The main road has been upgraded to "asphalt"".

What's the difference between "tarmac" and "pavement"?

"Tarmac" refers specifically to a road or airport surface made of bituminous material, whereas "pavement" is a general term for any paved surface. Therefore, not all pavements are "tarmac".

Can "tarmac" be used as a verb?

Yes, "tarmac" can be used as a verb meaning to pave a surface with tarmac. For example: "They will "macadamize" the road next week".

Is it correct to use "tarmac" when referring to any airport surface?

While "tarmac" is often associated with airports, it's more precise to use it when referring to surfaces actually made of tarmac. The term "apron" could be more appropriate for the general area where planes park and maneuver.