How to pronounce pavement
Say it like PAYV-munt. Pavement has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAYV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pavement. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAYV
- munt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pavement pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PAYVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- muntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pavement
American and British speakers say pavement in essentially the same way: /ˈpeɪvmənt/ in the US and /ˈpeɪvmənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: PAYV-munt.
What does pavement mean?
- the paved surface of a thoroughfare
- material used to pave an area
- walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway
Where does pavement come from?
From Middle English pament, from Anglo-Norman pavement and reinforced by Middle French pavement; both from Latin pavīmentum (“paved surface or floor”), from pavīre (“to beat, to ram, to tread down”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with pavement
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pavement.
Questions about saying pavement
How do you pronounce pavement?
Say PAYV-munt. The American pronunciation is /ˈpeɪvmənt/. In British English it is /ˈpeɪvmənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pavement?
Pavement has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAYV). Broken into parts: PAYV · munt.
Do Americans and Brits say pavement the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpeɪvmənt/ and the British form is /ˈpeɪvmənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.