What does tarmacking mean?
Tarmacking is the work of covering or resurfacing a road, runway, or similar surface with tarmac, a dark paving material made from mineral aggregate bound with bitumen. The noun refers to the process, as in “the tarmacking of the runway,” while the verb describes the application itself: “They spent the night tarmacking the access road.” It is especially associated with British English and remains familiar in North America, where “asphalt paving” is often preferred. The term conveys no unusual connotation; it is a practical expression for road-building and maintenance work. Although the activity can be highly technical, “tarmacking” is also used in ordinary descriptions of construction and transport news. Its name reflects the history of road surfacing: “tarmac” was formed from “tar” and “macadam,” combining a traditional binding substance with a method of constructing durable stone roads.
The process or work of laying, resurfacing, or covering a surface with tarmac, especially a road or runway.
"The tarmacking of the runway was postponed because of heavy rain."
Usually uncountable; plural forms are rare.
To cover a road, runway, or other surface with tarmac.
"Crews tarmacked the access road before dawn."
Normally transitive and commonly used in roadwork and transport contexts.
Rare; the noun is normally uncountable, but the plural may distinguish separate paving operations.
"Several tarmackings of the runway were scheduled during the overnight closure."
Tarmac welds two paving traditions—tar and macadam—into the name of the material used on countless roads.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tarmacking come from?
Tarmacking derives from “tarmac,” a compound formed in the early 20th century from “tar” and “macadam.” Macadam was named after the Scottish engineer John Loudon McAdam and originally referred to a method of constructing roads with compacted crushed stone. The shortened form “tarmac” came to denote the road-surfacing material and, by extension, the work of applying it. “Tarmac” was also established as a verb by the early 20th century, with “tarmacking” used for the corresponding activity.
Related word forms
How tarmacking is actually used
The word is most characteristic of British English, although it is understood and used in North America; “asphalt paving” is generally more frequent in US usage. The noun is normally uncountable, while the verb is normally transitive.
Easily confused with tarmacking
Tar is a viscous black substance obtained from organic material, whereas tarmac is a road-surfacing material made from a bituminous binder and mineral aggregate.