bitumen
noun
bi·tu·men
bə-ˈtyü-mən 
bī-,
-ˈtü-,
especially British also ˈbit-yə-
1
: an asphalt of Asia Minor used in ancient times as a cement and mortar
2
: any of various mixtures of hydrocarbons (such as tar) often together with their nonmetallic derivatives that occur naturally or are obtained as residues after heat-refining natural substances (such as petroleum)
specifically
: such a mixture soluble in carbon disulfide
Examples of bitumen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With that information in hand, the researchers obtained oil and bitumen samples from sediments dated to different points in the Earth's past.
—
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 9 June 2023
In the Le Moustier region, bitumen, and ochre would have had to be collected from distant locations.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024
On stone blades and scrapers, the team found a mix of ochre and bitumen – minerals that both occur naturally in soil and rock.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024
The number of green spaces is decreasing, while the number of artificial surfaces, like bitumen and concrete, which absorb and radiate heat, is increasing.
—Gavin Butler Matthew Abbott, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for bitumen 
John Timmer, Ars Technica, 9 June 2023
In the Le Moustier region, bitumen, and ochre would have had to be collected from distant locations.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024
On stone blades and scrapers, the team found a mix of ochre and bitumen – minerals that both occur naturally in soil and rock.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024
The number of green spaces is decreasing, while the number of artificial surfaces, like bitumen and concrete, which absorb and radiate heat, is increasing.
—Gavin Butler Matthew Abbott, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for bitumen
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bitumen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Bitumen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bitumen. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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