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Diddy Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary

Tarmac or Asphalt

I was talking to someone about Tarmac/asphalt.

Can it be called both things and which one is the most correct?
  

Top answer

Asphalt : a dark bituminous substance found in natural beds and as residue from petroleum distillation and consisting mainly of hydrocarbons; mixed asphalt and crushed gravel or sand; used especially for paving but also for roofing. Tar: A dark, oily, viscous material, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, produced by the destructive distillation of organic substances such as wood, coal, or peat. Tarmac : a paved surface having compressed layers of broken rocks held together with tar; a paving material of tar and broken stone; mixed in a factory and shaped during paving.

— Mister Micawber

  • Asphalt : a dark bituminous substance found in natural beds and as residue from petroleum distillation and consisting mainly of hydrocarbons; mixed asphalt and crushed gravel or sand; used especially for paving but also for roofing.
  • Tar: A dark, oily, viscous material, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, produced by the destructive distillation of organic substances such as wood, coal, or peat.
  • Tarmac : a paved surface having compressed layers of broken rocks held together with tar; a paving material of tar and broken stone; mixed in a factory and shaped during paving.
  • Macadam : a paved surface having compressed layers of broken rocks held together with tar.
  • Tar and asphalt appear to be very similar or identical substances which have somewhat different sources.
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2 Answers
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Asphalt: a dark bituminous substance found in natural beds and as residue from petroleum distillation and consisting mainly of hydrocarbons; mixed asphalt and crushed gravel or sand; used especially for paving but also for roofing.

Tar: A dark, oily, viscous material, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, produced by the destructive distillation of organic substances such
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In common speech (in North American English that is), "tarmac" is often used to refer to a landing strip or a runway. "Asphalt" is used to refer to the street that people drive their cars on. It, too, is also used to refer to a landing strip or a runway on occasion. "Tarmac", however, isn't used to refer to a street.
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