Word of the Day
22 July 2026
tarmac
The area of an airport, other than the runway, where planes park or maneuver.
Why this one
Short for tarmacadam, the tar bound version of McAdam's road surface, and mostly a misnomer now: aprons are laid in asphalt or concrete. Airport paperwork says apron or ramp; everyone on the radio still says tarmac.
In use
She's been sat out on the tarmac forty minutes waiting on a tug, and now we've lost the slot.
Written by our editors to show how the term is used, not a recorded quotation.Sources
- Definition sourceWiktionary