pave
cover a surface with concrete or stones
to cover a road, path, or area with a hard, flat material so people or cars can move on it easily
to pave [a surface] with [material]
- The city plans to pave the gravel road next summer.
- They paved the driveway with concrete last year.
- Workers are paving the main street, so expect delays.
- The path through the park was recently paved with smooth stones.
- Developers paved over the old parking area to create a wider sidewalk.
- They will pave the road next month.
- The city paved this street with new asphalt.
- We want to pave our garden path with stones.
- The parking lot is old and needs to be paved again.
make something possible or easier
to make it easier for something to happen later, often by doing important work before it
to pave the way for [something]
- Her research paved the way for new cancer treatments.
- This agreement could pave the way for closer trade ties between the two countries.
- The invention of smartphones paved the way for many new online services.
- Their early success paved the way for further investment in the project.
- Stronger environmental laws paved the way for cleaner air in major cities.
- The new law paved the way for big changes.
- Her hard work paved the way for her promotion.
- These talks may pave the way for peace.
- This small project paved the way for a larger one.
- Base: pave
- 3rd Person Singular: paves
- Present Participle: paving
- Past: paved
pave over
1cover land with concrete or asphalt
to cover an area of land with concrete or asphalt, usually so cars can drive or park there or so buildings can be built
- The city paved over the old playground to build a parking lot.
- Developers want to pave over the field and put up new apartments.
- Many people protested the plan to pave over the wetlands.
pave the way (for)
1create conditions for something
to make it easier for something to happen later, often by doing important or necessary things first
- The new regulations paved the way for cleaner energy projects.
- Her discovery paved the way for a completely new kind of medicine.
- This victory could pave the way for more women in leadership roles.
paved with gold
1place seen as full of easy money
used to describe a city or country that people imagine as a place where it is very easy to get rich, even if that is not really true
- Many immigrants thought the big city was paved with gold before they arrived and saw the reality.
- As a child, he believed America was paved with gold and that everyone there was rich.
the road to hell is paved with good intentions
1good intentions can lead to harm
A saying that means having good intentions is not enough; if you do not act carefully or wisely, your actions can still cause bad results.
- He gave them the money without checking anything, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
- "The road to hell is paved with good intentions," she reminded him when he wanted to lie to protect a friend.
- She meant to help, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and her plan made things worse.
- He meant to help, but ended up making things worse—proof that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.