tarmac

Meanings

1. Tarmacadam.
2. Any bituminous road surfacing material.
3. The driveable surface of a road.
4. The area of an airport, other than the runway, where planes park or maneuver.

1. To pave with tarmacadam or a similar material.
2. To spend time idling on a runway, usually waiting for takeoff clearance.

Etymology

Clipping of tarmacadam, which is from tar + macadam (“crushed stones”). Originally a trademark owned by its inventor, Edgar Hooley.