Pave

/peɪv/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to cover (a surface) with a material such as concrete, asphalt, or bricks to create a solid path or road.

The city plans to pave the main road to improve transportation.

to create a pathway or opportunity for something to happen.

Her groundbreaking research may pave the way for new treatments.

to prepare or make ready for a future event.

The negotiations aim to pave the road for a peaceful resolution.

Middle English 'paven', from Old French 'paver', from Latin 'pavare' meaning 'to beat down, to make firm'.

pave the way

To create conditions that make it easier for something to happen.

pave over

To cover something with a hard surface.

pavement

A hard surface for travel, typically used for roads or sidewalks.

paver

A person or machine that lays paving stones or other hard surfaces.

To set up or prepare the context for something to happen.

They really paved the way for his promotion with all that good feedback.

To cover something up or hide it.

He tried to pave over his mistakes by acting like they never happened.