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bitumen

bitumen

3 7.4
A thick black sticky substance used to make roads and roofs waterproof
  • noun
  • /ˈbɪtʃəmən/
  • UK
translation icon : betún
  • Roads can be paved using bitumen from tar sands and oil shale.
  • bitumen mortar

Recently we had a test with the bio binders to replace bitumen, because petroleum will in some time disappears.

Examples

  • The construction crew used bitumen to ensure the road surface could withstand heavy traffic.

  • However, at that price, I think that they would start burning bitumen as fuel because it would be cheaper.

    Blog text (32)
  • So we developed a different methodology for separating the bitumen from the sand.

    Blog text (5)
  • Diluted bitumen is sent through centrifuges to remove the remaining minerals and water.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Tar sands are mud-like substances that contain bitumen, clay, sand, and water.

    Blog text (34)
  • Alberta's soil holds reservoirs of bitumen, a hardened form of petroleum.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The workers applied a layer of hot bitumen to seal the roof and prevent leaks.

  • When mixed with gravel, bitumen creates a strong material for paving roads.

Synonyms

asphalt
vsbitumen
56 3.9

A dark sticky material used to make roads and keep roofs dry

refers to the black sticky substance itself rather than the stone mix
asphaltum
vsbitumen
  • Archaic
9.2

A natural thick black oil found in the ground and in lakes

is a general name for such substances whether natural or refined
mineral tar
vsbitumen
  • Specialized
8.5

A thick black sticky material made from oil and rocks used to make roofs waterproof and stop rust

is mainly hydrocarbon material from natural deposits or petroleum residue

How Viscous

bitumen
  • UK
3 7.4
fuel oil
  • Specialized
5 3.5
lubricating oil
  • Specialized
1 3.4
gas oil
  • Specialized
1 5.3
kerosene
41 3.8

Surface Forms

bitumen singular
bitumens plural

Etymology

Bitumen comes from a Latin word that meant 'tar' or 'pitch' and even older words from the Middle East for a black, sticky substance. So bitumen today is the black, sticky material used like 'tar' to make roads and roofs waterproof.